India dominates Windies

India Women defeated West Indies Women by 49 runs as Jemimah Rodrigues scored a magnificent half-century. Titus Sadha followed with a devastating spell of fast bowling in the opening T20I at the DY Patil Stadium.

Rodrigues blasted 73 from just 33 balls, and opener Smriti Mandhana smashed 54 from 33 balls to carry India to 195 for four off their 20 overs, their third-highest T20I total.

Sadhu then bagged three wickets for 37 runs, including that of Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin. The West Indies could only gather 146 for seven from their 20 overs.

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, India got an early start. Mandhana and her opening partner, Uma Chetry, hit Zaida James for three boundaries in the second over, leaking 13 runs and eventually bringing up the 50-run partnership in the sixth over.

Off-spinner Karishma Ramharack broke the partnership when she bowled Chetry for 24, leaving India 50 for one.

Rodrigues then had an 81-run stand with Mandhana in seven overs.

Mandhana brought up her half-century off 30 balls in the fourteenth over but was caught two balls later by Qiana Joseph off Mandhana. Rodrigues got to 50 off just 28 balls and was eventually run out in the last over.

Ramharack was the best West Indies bowler, picking up 2-18 from her four overs.

In reply, the West Indies suffered an early setback when Sadhu had Matthews caught by Mani to leave the visitors two for one.

Shemaine Campbelle was then bowled by Deepti Sharma for 13 as West Indies slid to 36 for two in the seventh over.

Opener Qiana Joseph and Deandra Dottin gave the Windies some hope with a 44-run partnership.

But after hitting Sadhu for a six, in the very next delivery Thakor took an easy catch.

Her dismissal effectively ended the contest, as Dottin received no other support.

However in the second T20I, a spectacular unbeaten 85 runs from skipper Hayley Matthews propelled the West Indies to a nine-wicket victory leveling the series 1-1.

Chasing a target of 160, the West Indies cruised to the finish line with 26 balls to spare, while India struggled this time around.

India’s opener Chetry went early for four, and Rodrigues was trapped lbw by Matthews for 13 in the final over of the power play.

Debutant Raghvi Bist departed for five, and India found themselves stumbling on 48-3 in the ninth over.

Smriti Mandhana top scored with 62 from 41 balls despite being dropped twice and added 56 valuable runs for the fourth wicket with Deepti Sharma, who chipped in with 17 runs.

India’s innings faltered in the ending overs. Chinelle Henry, Dottin, Matthews and Afy Fletcher took two wickets each.

West Indies began their chase with Qiana Joseph smashing three fours and a six off Titas Sadhu in the second over.

Matthews followed suit, and the duo made 65 runs during the power-play.

Joseph was dismissed after top-edging Saima Thakor for 38, Matthews continued with vice-captain Campbelle (29 not out) and by the halfway mark, West Indies already had 94 runs.

Matthews unbeaten knock with a few consecutive boundaries ensured West Indies ended the chase in the 16th over, securing a victory.

 In an exciting series decider, Smriti Mandhana delivered a brilliant 77 off 47 balls, while Richa Ghosh blasted 54 off 21 balls to propel India to a 60-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I.

The win sealed the series 2-1 for the hosts.

Batting first, India raced to 217 as Mandhana laid the foundation, while Ghosh’s explosive finish ensured a mammoth target that was beyond the regional side’s reach.

India’s innings began a bit shaky when Uma Chetry fell in the very first over to Henry for zero.

But Mandhana quickly shifted gears and her aggressive approach saw India pick up 61 runs in the first six overs.

Rodrigues (39 off 28 balls) joined Mandhana in a 98-run stand that set the tone for the innings.

After Rodrigues fell, Raghvi Bist (31 not out off 22) supported Mandhana in a 44-run partnership before Mandhana was deceived by a slower delivery from Dottin.

Ghosh then took over, smashing five sixes and three fours, as she reached her 50 in just 18 balls.

Chasing a formidable 218, the West Indies faltered early. Qiana Joseph fell for only 11. Hayley Matthews 22 off 17 balls and Dottin 25 off 17 balls wasn’t good enough as their dismissals effectively ended the contest.

Henry provided a late but powerful 43 off 16 balls, but the Windies never came close.

Radha Yadav bagged four for 29, as India’s massive total ensured the series-clinching win.