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With eyes set on the coveted Women's World Cup trophy, India earned an emphatic 81-run victory against West Indies in their second warm-up match on Tuesday (March 1). India's star southpaw Smriti Mandhana led the performers with an impressive 66 and was well complemented by Deepti Sharma's sedate 51 to help their side post a total of 258. Kept under observation after taking a blow to her head during the team's first practice match against South Africa, the sensational Mandhana was in her element within two days from the injury.
In reply, the Women in Maroon failed to chase the target and tumbled to a measly 177/9. Pooja Vastrakar was pick of the bowler for India who snared three wickets while conceding mere 21 runs.
Shemaine Campbelle (63) was the top scorer for West Indies while Hayley Mathews contributed with 44 runs. Other batters fell like a pack of cards in the second warmup game of ICC Women’s World Cup. India's Meghana Singh, Rajeshwari Gaywakwad and Deepti Sharma also scalped a couple of wickets to clinch the issue.
Just ahead of their World Cup campaign, India got their mojo back as they won both of their warm-up matches.
Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat against West Indies women. The likes of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma smashed top-notch fifties to ensure India took the right decision. Yastika Bhatia chipped in with 42 runs while captain Mithali Raj contributed with crucial 30 runs. However, India women got bowled out for 258 runs. The likes of WI-W bowlers Cherry-Ann Fraser, Karishma Ramharack and Hayley Matthews took a couple of wickets each.
The Mithali-led India will have something to be proud of after their ODI series debacle in New Zealand. India eked out a two-run victory in a thriller of a contest in their first ICC Women’s World Cup warm-up match against South Africa.
Right before the World Cup essay, India suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of New Zealand in the 5-match ODI series. The Indian Women’s team saved their blushes by winning the last game to save themselves from a humiliating clean sweep by the Kiwi opponents.
The all charged-up India, who would be chasing their maiden title this year will be desperate to bid a fitting goodbye to the legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami who would be playing their last world cup this year.
