Windies women slump to 49-run defeat to India in opening T20I

Sherdon Cowan- West Indies Women will have to play catch up in their three-match T20 International series against India as they fell to a 49-run defeat in the first encounter at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday.

The match, which featured a record aggregate of 341 runs between the two teams, saw the visitors unable to chase down India’s imposing total of 195-4, as they only mustered 146-7 in their 20 overs.

Electing to field after skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss, the West Indies bowlers struggled to contain an in-form Indian batting lineup, which saw Jemimah Rodrigues steal the show with a scintillating 73 off 35 balls, decorated with nine fours and two sixes.

Her commanding innings was supported by Smriti Mandhana, who smashed 54 off 33 deliveries, including seven boundaries and two maximums.

The Mandhana-Rodrigues partnership of 81 runs for the second wicket proved to be the decisive blow, as they dismantled the Caribbean attack. Earlier, Mandhana and opener Uma Chetry (24) laid the foundation with a 50-run opening stand.

Meanwhile, contributions from Richa Ghosh (20) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (13 not out) helped India close the innings on a high, with Kaur and Rodrigues adding a brisk 35 runs in the final overs.

West Indies spinner Karishma Ramharack was the standout bowler for her side, with 2-18 from her four overs in a display of precision amidst the carnage.

In reply, the West Indies never really got going, though they were buoyed by Deandra Dottin, who smashed a 28-ball 52 laced with four boundaries and three sixes.

The 33-year-old, who secured a lucrative Women’s Premier League (WPL) contract with the Gujarat Giants ahead of the game, showcased her powerful hitting ability, which not only kept the chase alive briefly but also saw her break the record for most sixes in Women’s T20 Internationals. She surpassed New Zealand’s Sophie Devine (114 sixes) with a tally of 117 sixes.

Qiana Joseph also impressed with an aggressive 49 off 33 balls, including five fours and three sixes. However, apart from these two performances, the West Indies batting lineup faltered, with Shemaine Campbelle (13) and Shabika Gajnabi (15 not out) the only other players to reach double figures.

The lack of partnerships ultimately cost the visitors, as they failed to sustain momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.

Titas Sadhu led India’s bowling with figures of 3-37, while Deepti Sharma (2-21) and Radha Yadav (2-28) provided excellent support.

With the victory, India secured a 1-0 lead in the series, while the West Indies will need to regroup quickly and address their bowling inconsistencies and batting depth to stay alive in the series.

Matthews acknowledged that much.

“We were a bit loose with the ball. We had certain lengths to bowl but didn’t execute. We let ourselves down in the field, but there were a few positives in Josephs at the top and Dottin in the middle. The girls have had quite a few days here to get accustomed but probably didn’t show today, as we back ourselves to chase anything but they got 15-20 runs more,” she said in a post-game interview. (Sportsmax)