India Women vs West Indies Women: In a thrilling encounter at Navi Mumbai, India defeated West Indies by 49 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The match was marked by stellar performances from Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Titas Sadhu, whose contributions ensured a convincing win for the hosts. West Indies, despite Deandra Dottin’s fighting fifty, fell short in their chase of 196.
India’s Batting Brilliance
Opting to bat first, India made an excellent start, thanks to an 81-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues. The innings began with Mandhana opening alongside Uma Chetry, who was playing her fifth T20I. West Indies introduced spin early, bringing in Zaida James in the second over. However, the Indian batters countered with aggression, taking 13 runs off the over. Mandhana, in particular, found her rhythm early, striking consecutive boundaries against Hayley Matthews in the fourth over. Chetry also contributed with back-to-back boundaries through the covers during the powerplay.
The duo added 50 runs by the end of the powerplay, with Mandhana taking the lead. However, Chetry struggled to rotate the strike and was eventually bowled for 24 off 26 balls by offspinner Karishma Ramharack. Her dismissal brought Rodrigues to the crease, and the momentum shifted further in India’s favor.
Rodrigues immediately asserted her dominance, unleashing a flurry of sweeps and reverse-sweeps to find the boundaries. Mandhana continued her fluent stroke play, combining well with Rodrigues to punish the spinners. Together, they added 81 runs for the second wicket, with Rodrigues taking the initiative in the middle overs. The highlight of their partnership was the 19 runs they plundered off Matthews in the 13th over, as both batters went on the offensive.
Mandhana reached her fifty but fell soon after for 54 off 39 balls, caught by Chinelle Henry off Ramharack. Richa Ghosh walked in at No. 4 and maintained the tempo with a quickfire 15 off eight balls, including two boundaries and a six. However, she perished while attempting another big hit, caught at deep midwicket by Dottin. Rodrigues, meanwhile, continued her onslaught, reaching her half-century off just 28 balls.
Rodrigues’ innings was a masterclass in T20 batting, featuring well-placed boundaries and aggressive running between the wickets. She was eventually run out in the final over for a scintillating 73 off 35 balls. Her efforts ensured India reached an imposing total of 195/4.
West Indies’ Chase
Chasing a daunting target of 196, West Indies needed a strong start but lost Hayley Matthews early, caught brilliantly by substitute fielder Minnu Mani off Titas Sadhu. Mani’s diving catch set the tone for India’s fielding performance. Sadhu, making a comeback after an injury layoff, bowled with discipline and kept the pressure on the West Indies batters.
Despite the early setback, Deandra Dottin kept West Indies in the hunt with a breathtaking counterattack. She got off the mark with a towering six over deep midwicket and continued to find the boundary with ease. Dottin’s 28-ball 52 included five fours and three sixes, and she single-handedly maintained the required run rate despite minimal support from the other end.
Qiana Joseph provided some resistance, scoring 49 off 33 balls. She played a crucial role in the middle overs, adding vital runs alongside Dottin. However, Sadhu’s clever variations broke the partnership, as she shortened her length to dismiss Joseph, who mistimed a shot to mid-off.
Dottin was given two reprieves, first dropped by Rodrigues and later by Mandhana. However, she could not capitalize on her luck and was eventually dismissed by Sadhu, caught by Radha Yadav at long-on. Her wicket was the turning point, as West Indies’ hopes of a successful chase faded rapidly. They eventually finished on 146/7, falling 49 runs short.
India’s Fielding and Bowling
India’s fielding, often criticized under lights, was exceptional in this match. Substitute fielder Minnu Mani was a standout performer, taking two outstanding catches. Her diving effort to dismiss Matthews in the second over was one of the highlights of the game. She followed it up with another sharp catch at long-on to send Chinelle Henry back to the pavilion.
Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma supported Sadhu with economical spells, while Pooja Vastrakar bowled tight lines to restrict the scoring. Sadhu finished with impressive figures of 3/37, demonstrating her ability to deliver under pressure. Her variations in line and length, combined with sharp fielding, ensured that West Indies never gained momentum in their chase.
Key Performances
- Jemimah Rodrigues: 73 off 35 balls, a knock that combined finesse with aggression.
- Smriti Mandhana: 54 off 39 balls, setting the tone for India’s innings.
- Titas Sadhu: 3/37, dismantling key partnerships with her clever bowling.
- Deandra Dottin: 52 off 28 balls, a valiant effort that kept West Indies’ hopes alive.
- Minnu Mani: Exceptional fielding with two crucial catches.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, India has taken a crucial lead in the series, showcasing a balanced performance with bat, ball, and in the field. West Indies will need to regroup quickly and address their middle-order woes to keep the series alive. The second T20I promises to be another exciting contest as both teams look to fine-tune their preparations ahead of larger tournaments.
The match highlighted India’s growing depth in T20 cricket, with young players like Titas Sadhu and Minnu Mani stepping up alongside established stars. For West Indies, Dottin’s return to form was a positive, but they will need a collective effort to challenge India in the upcoming games. The next match will be a test of character for both sides as they aim to outdo each other in this closely-watched series.
