Stunning centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur followed by clinical bowling performances helped India thrash West Indies by 155 runs in a crucial match of the ICC Women’s World Cup in Hamilton. With this win, India are now on top of the points table with four points with a better run rate than other teams.
Chasing a target of 318 runs, the Indian bowlers bundled out the women for just 162 runs in the maroon. Off-spinner Sneh Rana was the bowlers’ choice as he took three wickets, including a crucial wicket of Deandra Dottin, who played a blistering knock of 62 runs.
Opting to bat first, opener Mandhana and vice-captain Kaur rose to the occasion as their scintillating centuries took India to 317 for 8 in a crucial Women’s ODI World Cup match. This is also India’s highest score in the history of the mega ICC event. Mandhana scored 119 runs in 123 balls as her fifth ODI century included 12 fours and two sixes. While Harmanpreet Kaur scored her second century in the Women’s World Cup with an innings of 109 which included 10 fours and two sixes. It was his first century after scoring an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup.
Mithali Raj’s decision to bat first on the pitch used in the 62-run loss against New Zealand was validated in Yastika Bhatia’s 21-ball 31 opening. After receiving his first boundary with the outside edge flying over the slips, Yastika pulls Chinelle Henry thrice in the arc from deep mid-wicket to backward square leg.
The bridge remained a fine scoring shot for Yastika as Shamilia Connell was taken for fours through mid-wicket and square leg. Yastika’s knock ended when she passed Shakira Selman’s cutter back to the bowler. Mithali and Deepti Sharma also got out early.
Mandhana then shared a huge partnership of 184 runs with Harmanpreet. It was a free-flowing batting performance from India where they were active in the power-play, intending to rotate the strike in the middle overs and when it mattered most, got big knocks as the West Indies bowlers found their way. Was punished for wayward line. and length. India lost wickets in a bundle in the final few overs before posting 317/8 on the scoreboard.
West Indies started the chase on a very strong note with Dottin’s 62 and his opening partner Hayley Mathews chipping in with a quick 43 as the duo stitched a century partnership for the opening wicket.
But after his departure, the West Indies innings fell apart. The Indians put in a united bowling effort to bundle out West Indies for 162 in 40.3 overs.
Sneh Rana (3/22) and Meghna Singh (2/27) shared five wickets between them for India, while the other three bowlers, including the experienced Jhulan Goswami (1/43), also took a wicket each.
Brief Scores:
India: 317 for 8 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 123, Harmanpreet Kaur 109; Anisa Mohammed 2/59).
West Indies: 162 all out in 40.3 overs (Diandra Dottin 62, Hayley Mathews 43; Sneh Rana 3/22, Meghna Singh 2/27).
(with agency input)
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