The Indian Women’s Cricket Team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, delivered a commanding performance to secure a record-breaking 211-run victory over West Indies in the first ODI of the series at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. The victory is India’s second-largest win by runs in women’s ODI history, behind their 249-run triumph over Ireland in 2017, and it marked the heaviest defeat by runs for West Indies in women’s ODI cricket.
West Indies, captained by Hayley Matthews, opted to field after winning the toss. However, India’s batting lineup proved too strong, posting a formidable 314/9 in their 50 overs.
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Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal provided a stellar start, forging a 110-run partnership. Mandhana dazzled with a knock of 91 off 102 balls, including 13 boundaries, while Rawal contributed a solid 40 off 69 balls.
West Indies broke the opening stand in the 24th over, with Matthews dismissing Rawal. However, Harleen Deol and Mandhana added 50 more runs before Zaida James removed Mandhana in the 32nd over. Harleen (44 off 50 balls) then partnered with Harmanpreet Kaur (34 off 23 balls) for a quickfire 66-run stand, keeping the momentum firmly in India’s favor.
The middle order further capitalized on the solid foundation. Richa Ghosh (26 off 13 balls), Jemimah Rodrigues (31 off 19 balls), and Deepti Sharma (14* off 12 balls) added crucial runs in the final overs, taking India past the 300-mark. Zaida James was the standout bowler for West Indies, claiming five wickets for 45 runs, while Matthews picked up two.
Chasing 315, West Indies crumbled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Renuka Thakur Singh was the star with the ball, dismantling the Caribbean lineup with figures of 5/27. Supported by Priya Mishra, who took two wickets, and contributions from Titas Sadhu and Deepti Sharma, India bowled out West Indies for just 103 runs in 27 overs.
Afy Fletcher (24* off 22 balls) was the top scorer for the visitors, while Shemaine Campbelle (21 off 39 balls) showed some resistance before falling to Renuka’s lethal spell.
Renuka Thakur Singh’s brilliant five-wicket haul earned her the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
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