India’s women’s cricket team put on a stellar performance to claim a 49-run victory over the West Indies in the first T20I at DY Patil Stadium.
The match was marked by a power-packed partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana, complemented by Titas Sadhu’s excellent comeback with the ball. Despite arriving in Mumbai with little recovery time after their Australia tour, India showed no signs of fatigue, delivering a clinical all-round performance to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Electing to bat first, India set the stage ablaze with a blazing 81-run partnership between Rodrigues and Mandhana. Rodrigues smashed 73 off just 35 balls at a strike rate of 208.57, while Mandhana played a crucial knock of 54 off 33 deliveries.
Their partnership ended when Karishma Ramharack dismissed Mandhana, but by then, India was well on its way to a formidable total. The hosts posted 195 for 4 in their 20 overs, setting a daunting target for the visitors.
Returning to the squad after an injury setback during the Australia ODIs, Titas Sadhu made an emphatic comeback, picking up 3 for 37 on a dewy surface. Her ability to vary her lines and lengths proved pivotal in breaking the West Indies’ momentum during the chase.
Reflecting on the challenges of adjusting quickly after their arrival, Sadhu said, “The fact that we landed here quite at the nighttime of India and we slept through the whole night properly, so that kind of helped with the jet lag.”
She also praised the pitch, noting, “I think DY Patil is a very true wicket and whoever is able to bowl in the right areas, there is always something in the wicket that helps. The dew was there, and it was a little difficult for us, but we managed quite well.”
With regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur sitting out of the fielding innings due to an unspecified issue, Smriti Mandhana stepped in as captain. When asked about Harmanpreet’s absence, Sadhu remained optimistic, saying, “The medical team is looking after that, so probably she will be fine in some time.”
Sadhu attributed the team’s success to their familiarity with the ground, saying, “One of the best things was that we have played on this ground before, and we are actually at the same time of the year, so we are a little bit more accustomed.” She added, “We have knowledge about it, and that being the key, and so we knew there will still be some help from the wicket if we can actually bowl at the right areas and fortunately, we did that.”
Chasing 196, the West Indies looked to Deandra Dottin for inspiration, and she delivered with a quickfire 52 off 28 balls. However, the rest of the batting lineup faltered against India’s disciplined bowling. Sadhu led the attack, while Radha Yadav (2 for 28) and Deepti Sharma (2 for 21) ensured there were no let-ups.
Despite a late cameo by Qiana Joseph, the visitors fell 49 runs short of the target, succumbing to India’s superior performance. This win marked India’s ninth consecutive over the West Indies and sets the stage for an exciting second T20I on December 17, where the hosts will look to seal the series.
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