India Women continued their dominance over the West Indies, securing their ninth consecutive T20I victory with a commanding 49-run win in the series opener on Sunday. Powered by stellar performances from Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana, India posted their highest-ever T20I total against the Caribbean side, finishing at 195/4—also their third-highest score overall in the format.
Rodrigues and Mandhana Shine with the Bat
Opting to bat first, India got off to a strong start, thanks to an excellent partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana. Rodrigues played a match-winning knock of 73 runs, showcasing her class and precision, while Mandhana provided solid support with a well-compiled 54. Their aggressive intent laid a robust foundation for India’s innings, propelling them to a formidable total of 195/4.
Early Blow for West Indies
Chasing 196, West Indies’ hopes suffered a major setback in just the second over when captain Hayley Matthews fell cheaply for 1. Substitute fielder Minnu Mani’s outstanding athletic effort to take a diving catch off Titas Sadhu’s bowling gave India an early breakthrough and set the tone for their disciplined bowling attack.
Joseph and Dottin Fight Back
Despite the early blow, young Qiana Joseph provided a glimmer of hope for West Indies with an impressive 33-ball 49. Her innings, laced with five boundaries and three sixes, kept the scoreboard ticking and applied brief pressure on the Indian bowlers. Veteran Deandra Dottin, making her mark after returning to T20I cricket earlier this year, contributed with a resilient 52—her first half-century since the comeback.
Lack of Partnerships Hurts West Indies
While Joseph and Dottin showed glimpses of brilliance, West Indies failed to build significant partnerships in the middle order. India’s bowlers maintained tight lines and controlled the run flow, ensuring the pressure remained on the chasing side.
Titas Sadhu Leads the Bowling Attack
Pacer Titas Sadhu was the standout performer with the ball, returning impressive figures of 3/37. Her early breakthrough and disciplined spells throughout the innings were instrumental in restricting the West Indies to 146/7, well short of the target.
India’s Unbeaten Streak Continues
With this victory, India Women extended their unbeaten T20I streak against the West Indies to nine matches, underlining their dominance over the Caribbean side. This win not only gives India a 1-0 lead in the series but also sets the stage for a confident performance in the upcoming matches.
The series opener highlighted India’s all-round strength, with the batters setting up the game and the bowlers effectively defending the target. West Indies, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their lack of partnerships if they aim to challenge India in the remaining fixtures.