India’s women’s cricket team continued its winning streak against West Indies, registering their ninth consecutive T20I win. They registered a resounding 49-run win in the first match of the series in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana led India to a record-breaking performance. They helped India achieve their highest ever T20I total against West Indies.
India’s final score of 195 for four is also the third highest score in all T20Is. In response, West Indies managed 146 for 7.
Qiana Joseph impressed as she scored a quick 49 runs off 33 balls. Diandra DotinReturning to T20Is, he scored 52 runs and his first half-century of the year.
Despite their efforts, West Indies failed to win.
Replacement fielder Minnu Mani got a standout catch early in the game. This led to the dismissal of West Indies captain Hayley Matthews with just one run off the bowling of Titas Sadhu. Sadhu finished with impressive figures of 3/37.
Joseph’s innings included five fours and three sixes. However, West Indies struggled to form a substantive partnership.
Joseph and Shemaine Campbelle added 34 runs for the second wicket. Their partnership consumed 31 balls, putting pressure on the required run rate.
Joseph and Dottin’s 44-run partnership for the third wicket was also relatively slow, lasting just 18 balls.
Joseph targeted bowler Saima Thakor and hit four boundaries in a single over. Nonetheless, required run rates continued to rise.
The Sadhu eventually dismissed Joseph, who had served less than half a century. Dottin then took responsibility for scoring quickly.
Dottin’s 52 runs came from 28 balls, comprising four fours and three sixes. He was dropped twice by Indian defenders, but was unable to lead the team to victory.
Sadhu also fired Dottin. Indian spinners Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav both took two wickets for 21 runs to increase the pressure on the West Indies batsmen.
Rodriguez played a key role in India’s impressive scoring tally. She scored 73 runs off 35 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes. This was one of her best T20I performances, finishing at number three.
Mandhana continued his outstanding performance by scoring his 28th T20I half-century and sixth of the year. She scored 54 points.
Mandhana’s innings took him to 600 T20I runs in the year. She is currently ranked 4th among the highest run-scorers in Women’s T20Is in 2024.
Mandhana’s knock consisted of seven fours and two sixes. She and her teammates enjoyed playing in their familiar home environment. India surpassed their previous highest T20I total against West Indies.
India’s previous highest score against the West Indies was 185/4, achieved at Gros Islet in November 2019.
Rodriguez targeted the leg side effectively, finding gaps and hitting boundaries. She achieved her 12th T20I fifty with a powerful shot.
Mandhana and Rodrigues put together an 81-run partnership for the second wicket. Their partnership spanned 44 balls before Karishma Ramharack dismissed Mandhana.
Ramharack was the most successful West Indies bowler with figures of 2 for 18 from four overs.
Richa Ghosh added a quickfire 20 runs off 14 balls, including two fours and a six. Deandra Dottin took a great catch to dismiss her.
The India-opening partnership between Uma Chetry and Mandhana provided a solid start. They scored 50 runs in the first 7 overs. Chetry scored 24 points.
