New Delhi: India women cricket team trounced West Indies by 211 runs in the first One-Day International match played at the newly-built Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Smriti Mandhana and Renuka Thakur were the top-performers for the hosts to put them in a commanding position. The left-handed opening batter missed her 10th ODI century as she scored 91 runs from 102 balls before getting pinned ahead of the stumps off left-arm spinner Zaida James’ bowling.
Mandhana’s remarkable knock was backed by concerted cameos by debutant Pratika Rawal (40 runs off 69 balls), Harleen Deol (44 runs off 50 balls) and skipper Harmanpreet (34 runs off 23 balls) as India posted a humungous score of 314 for 9 at the end of the 50 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues also added 19-ball 31 to put the final touches to close the Indian innings with the help of three fours and one six.
Renuka Thakur’s maiden fifer leaves West Indies in tatters
In response, Renuka dented West Indies’ chances to stage a competitive fightback after removing their flamboyant skipper Hayley Matthews for a nought just after fellow opener Qiana Joseph was run out on the first ball of the second innings. Experienced campaigner Deandra Dottin soon followed the openers in the dugout after failing to read the varying length from Renuka and, as a result, the stumps were dismantled behind.
Young speedster Titas Sadhu, who recently made her ODI debut in the Australia tour at the start of this month, cleaned up Rashada Williams as the top order of the Windies women was back in the dugout in a blink of an eye. Renuka continued to run through their batting order by accounting for the dismissals of Aaliyah Alleyne and Shabika Gajnabi.
West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Shemaine Campbell resisted in the middle to add some runs before she was caught by Harmanpreet off Renuka’s bowling in the 21st over. It was the moment for the Indian speedster to celebrate for her maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket.
Young leg-spinner Priya Mishra picked a couple of wickets while all-rounder Deepti Sharma claimed one as the visitors were bundled up for 103 in 27 overs.
The second match of the series will be played at the same venue in Vadodara on Tuesday (December 24).
India women cricket team trounced West Indies by 211 runs in the first One-Day International match played at the newly-built Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
