Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur both hit unbeaten half-centuries as India Women’s cricket team trounced West Indies by 56 runs on Monday in the Women’s T20I Tri-Series in East London (January 23). After winning the toss and deciding to bat, India got off to a terrific start, scoring 167 for two in 20 overs. They then held their opponents to 111 for four points, giving them their second consecutive series victory.
Openers Yastika Bhatia and Mandhana put on a 33-run stand before the former was removed for 18 by off-spinner Karishma Ramharack with one delivery remained in the power play. Yastika attempted a drive over covers but ended up playing away from her body as Ramharack put the ball up outside off. The opener’s tiny outside edge resulted in an easy catch for wicketkeeper Rashada Williams.
For her excellent unbeaten 7️⃣4️⃣*(51) in the first innings, vice-captain @mandhana_smriti bagged the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia clinched their second win of the Tri-Series with a 56-run victory over West Indies 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/tNMO0AAnzm#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/Y9QoRSLtdS
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 24, 2023
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Harleen Deol was introduced after she was dismissed, but she didn’t remain long as she was caught in front while attempting to flick the ball off-side to pacer Shanika Bruce. The young middle-order hitter missed the stroke in her initial reaction to the length ball, and the ball struck her on the front pad.
There were a few stressful moments at 52 for two, but as Mandhana and Harmanpreet teamed up, boundaries were freely crossed. Harmanpreet, who was leading the team again after missing the tri-series opener allegedly due to illness, was in top form as she slammed a 35-ball 51 that included eight boundaries.
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Mandhana was equally aggressive after struggling with the bat in the first game against South Africa, blasting 74 off only 51 deliveries as the pair batted together for over 12 overs to lead India to a respectable total. Mandhana scored 10 boundaries and a six against South Africa Women in the tri-series opener before she was knocked for seven runs. The opposition used seven bowlers to end the partnership.
A total of 167 was always going to be difficult to chase down, and India’s spinners, led by Radha Yadav, choked the runs, giving away very few loose deliveries. Radha, 22, gave up just 10 runs in four overs while also dismissing Shemaine Campbelle (47), who needed 57 deliveries.
By the time Campbelle was dismissed for attempting a full toss but holing out to Amanjot Kaur at deep mid-wicket, the West Indies were 96 for four with only 15 deliveries remaining.
Skipper Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher were also unable to get the runs flowing, as a target of 167 proved too difficult to achieve.
Brief scores: India Women 167/2 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 74 n.o., Harmanpreet Kaur 56 n.o.) bt
West Indies Women 111 for 4 in 20 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 47, Hayley Matthews 34 n.o.; Deepti Sharma 2/29)
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