India vs West Indies Women 1st T20I : India’s women’s cricket team put on an impressive display in the opening match of their T20I series against the West Indies, securing a 49 run victory at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. With standout performances from Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana, as well as a brilliant bowling effort led by Titas Sadhu and Radha Yadav, India dominated their Caribbean counterparts in what was a thrilling encounter.
Table of Contents
India vs West Indies Women 1st T20I : India Beats West Indies by 49 Runs in 1st T20I
India Sets a Challenging Target
India, sent in to bat first after West Indies won the toss, got off to a solid start with Smriti Mandhana and Uma Chetry opening the innings. Mandhana, in excellent form, started with confidence, pulling off a string of boundaries. She scored a quickfire 54 off 33 balls, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. However, her departure, caught by Qiana Joseph, after reaching her half-century marked a brief slowdown in the Indian innings.
Mandhana’s dismissal was followed by Uma Chetry (24 off 26) and Richa Ghosh (20 off 14), who kept the scoreboard ticking. But it was Jemimah Rodrigues who took charge, leading India to a daunting total of 195/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Rodrigues’s 73 off 35 balls, with 9 fours and 3 sixes, was the highlight of the innings.
Windies’ Fightback Led by Dottin
Chasing 196, West Indies began poorly, with Hayley Matthews (1) falling early to Titas Sadhu. Despite early setbacks, Qiana Joseph and Shermaine Campbelle tried to rebuild, with Joseph even hitting a couple of sixes. However, India’s bowlers kept the pressure mounting. Titas Sadhu, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma restricted the Windies to just 142/7 after 19 overs, giving India a commanding 49-run win.
The Windies’ top order collapse was a significant blow, but Deandra Dottin (50 off 35 balls) continued to battle valiantly, smashing a half century in an attempt to revive her side’s chase. She hit a six and several boundaries, but the pressure from the Indian bowlers proved too much.
Key Moments and Performances
- Jemimah Rodrigues’s Heroics: Jemimah’s 12th T20I half-century was crucial for India’s massive total. She provided stability, built partnerships, and was aggressive in her stroke play throughout the innings.
- Smriti Mandhana’s Consistency: Mandhana continued her rich vein of form, registering another fifty in T20Is. Her knock set the tone for India’s innings, and even though she got out after her fifty, her innings gave India the foundation they needed.
- Titas Sadhu’s Key Wickets: Titas Sadhu shone with the ball, picking up vital wickets at crucial moments. She removed Hayley Matthews early, breaking the Windies’ partnership before they could build any momentum.
- Radha Yadav & Deepti Sharma’s Control: Both bowlers, along with Renuka Singh, were instrumental in keeping the run rate under control. They bagged key wickets, with Radha Yadav playing a crucial role in dismissing dangerous batters.
The West Indies’ Struggle
Despite some fireworks from Deandra Dottin and Qiana Joseph, the West Indies never really looked like they were in the chase. They suffered key dismissals at critical times, with Titas Sadhu, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma keeping them on the back foot.
Dottin’s valiant fight was the highlight of their innings, but her knock was not enough to prevent the inevitable collapse as West Indies finished at 142/7.
India’s 49-run victory in the first T20I was a testament to their all-around strength. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues were at their best with the bat, while Titas Sadhu, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma showed their mettle with the ball.
The Windies will need to regroup and find a way to break India’s dominance if they are to challenge the hosts in the upcoming matches. For India, the win sets a positive tone for the series as they look to extend their lead.
FAQs
Who won the India vs West Indies Women’s 1st T20I?
India won the match by 49 runs
What was the final score of West Indies in the 1st T20I?
West Indies scored 142/7 in 19 overs
