Riding on Smriti Mandhana and Renuka Thakur's superlative shows, Indian women's cricket team delivered a dominant performance in the first ODI against West Indies, securing their second-largest victory in the 50-over format.
India bully West Indies by 211 runs in ODI series opener
A stellar display with both bat and ball propelled Harmanpreet Kaur's side to a convincing 211-run win against West Indies at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday. After Smriti Mandhana's top notch 91 helped India post a colossal total of 314/9, Renuka Singh's impressive five-wicket haul then triggered West Indies' batting collapse and folded them for a lowly 102 runs. Riding on this resounding victory, India lead the three-match series 1-0.
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India innings got off to a flying start with a 110-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana (91 off 102) and Pratika Rawal (40 off 69). Smriti, narrowly missing out on a century with a score of 91, and Rawal, who contributed a solid 40 runs, provided a strong foundation. After the loss of Smriti, Harleen Deol took over, scoring 44 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh then added crucial contributions of 34 and 26 runs respectively. Jemimah Rodrigues finished the innings with a blistering 31 runs off just 19 deliveries, propelling India to a big total of 314 runs at the end of their 50 overs.
Later, West Indies' batting order crumbled in their run-chase, leading to an easy victory for India. Renuka Thakur (5/29) spearheaded the Indian bowling attack, claiming five wickets and dismantling the top and middle order. Key West Indian batters, including Hayley Mathews (0), Qiana Joseph ()), Deandra Dottin (8), and Shemaine Campbell (21), fell quickly to Renuka's incisive bowling. The Indian women's team efficiently bowled out West Indies in just 26.2 overs, securing a resounding 211-run victory. This win marked India Women's second-largest victory in ODIs, surpassed only by their 249-run win against Ireland Women in 2017.
Meanwhile, India and West Indies will lock horns with each other in the second ODI, which is slated to be held on December 24
