By sealing a 20-run win against West Indies, India began their Women’s T20 World Cup preparations on a positive note, in Dubai on Sunday. While chasing for 142 runs, Windies completed 121/8 in 20 overs, with Chinelle Henry scored half-century (59* off 48 balls). For the bowling department of India, Pooja Vastrakar took three wickets. At the beginning, Jemimah Rodrigues, smashed 52 runs off 40 balls, packed with four fours, to take India to 141/8 in 20 overs. Hayley Matthews also took four wickets for the West Indies.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: The positive beginning of India
As West Indies won the toss, they sent their captain Hayley Matthews to bat first. At 16/0, India looked quite comfortable after Smriti Mandhana hit Zaida James for consecutive boundaries in the second over. But this positive start began to unravel in the third over. This is because Chinelle Henry forced Shafali Verma (7) to nick one to wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle in the third over. The stay of Harmanpreet Kaur (Indian T20 captain) was short lived as she fell to Matthews in the next over after adding just one run to the board.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: Matthews creates magic as India stumbles at the end
Just when India looked to accelerate, Hayley Matthews struck again. One of the youngest Indian wicketkeeper-batters, Richa Ghosh was run out for 7, and Jemimah’s valiant knock came to an end courtesy of a sharp run-out. This left India at 113/6. Hayley Matthews dismissed Arundhati Reddy and completed a four-wicket haul. This created constant headaches for the Indian batters.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: West Indies chasing target Rattled by early wickets
The chase of West Indies Women got off to a disastrous start as Indian bowlers ran riot early on. The star with the ball, captain Hayley Matthews, fell for a duck to Renuka Singh in the third over. This suit was followed by Qiana Joseph, when she scored just 1 before Pooja Vastrakar sent her packing. Chedean Nation also failed to make an impact either, as she was bowled by Vastrakar for 4.
West Indies were in hot water at 13/3, and the pressure was mounting. They found some solidity with Chinelle Henry and Shemaine Campbelle joining forces out in the middle. Both of them threatened to mount a rescue act and took world No. 6 West Indies, The champion of 2016 Women’s T20 World Cup, to 70/3 before Asha Sobhana broke the partnership by disturbing Cambell’s stumps.
Even though Henry scored 59 off 48 deliveries, Indian bowlers kept picking up wickets from the other end to keep the Windies chase in check. A talented bowler, Deepti Sharma, picked up two while Vastrakar added one more to her tally to finish with 3/20.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: The lone resistance of Chinelle Henry goes in vain
Amid the chaos, Henry stood tall, playing a valiant knock of 59* off 48 balls, keeping West Indies’ hopes alive. She kept India on toes, with her aggressive stroke play, which included six boundaries and two sixes. But, she got a little support from the other end, when wickets continued to tumble.
Well-earned victory for India
Finally, the West Indies players finished at 120/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 20 runs. With figures of 3/20, Pooja Vastrakar was the standout bowler, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 2/11. Definitely, India’s disciplined bowling attack paved the way for a well-earned victory.
So, with a 20-run win over the West Indies, Indian women’s cricket team picked up momentum ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, in its first warm-up match at the Dubai International stadium in UAE on Sunday.
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