The India women’s national cricket team registered a 211-run victory over West Indies in the first ODI match played at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara. The hosts displayed a clinical batting and bowling performance top wrap up the visitors for a score of 103 runs while chasing down the target of 315 runs. Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur picked up a five-wicket haul whereas opener Smriti Mandhana shined with the bat to play a knock of 91 runs. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t only contribute with the bat but took a blinder in the field to dismiss Aaliyah Alleyne.
West Indies were 11/4 as Renuka Singh Thakur picked up two of first four wickets. She didn’t have to wait for her third scalp when Aaliyah Alleyne tried to slog the ball towards the leg side but ended up mistiming the ball. At one point, it looked like the ball will go over the mid on fielder, however, Harmanpreet Kaur timed her jump to perfection and grabbed a stunning one handed catch.
Harmanpreet Kaur Grabs A Stunner
After winning the toss, the Indian opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal built a partnership of 110 runs for the first wicket. Mandhana hit 13 boundaries during her innings, while Rawal contributed a solid 40 runs off 69 deliveries. Following in the footsteps of Mandhana and Rawal, Harleen Deol played a valuable innings, scoring 44 runs from 50 balls. Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues added crucial contributions with scores of 26 and 31 runs respectively, helping the Indian team reach a total of 314/9 in their first innings. Zaida James was the standout bowler for the West Indies, picking five wickets.
In pursuit of the target, the West Indies suffered the loss of six wickets for a mere 34 runs. Key players like Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph were both out without scoring, while Rashada Williams and Deandra Dottin managed only single-digit totals. Ultimately, the West Indies fell short, and the target turned out to be too challenging for the visiting team. The Indian team now holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
