Smriti Mandhana's 91-run knock alongside Renuka Singh's first five-wicket haul in the format powered India women to a dominating 211-run victory over West Indie in the first ODI at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, India began well as vice-captain Mandhana and debutant Pratika Rawal stitched up a 110-run partnership to put the hosts on the front foot before the latter was caught and bowled by Hayley Matthews. Rawal, who was not quick enough ended up poking the ball in the air which was brilliantly caught by the spinner.
Mandhana's innings, studded with 13 boundaries, came to an end in the 32nd over when Zaida James caught her plumb for an LBW. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who has been under immense pressure in recent times, seemed to be in good form as she scored 34 runs in 23 deliveries, which included three fours and one six. After a 66-run partnership with Harleen Doel, the duo were dismissed in back-to-back overs bowlers provided some relief to the visiting side.
Harleen was the first to depart as her attempt of playing on the off-side saw her knick the ball back onto her stumps. The skipper, in a moment of chaos, was run out in the very next over.
Cameos by Richa Ghosh (26) and Jemimah Rodriguez (31) helped the hosts cross the 300-run milestone while ferocious bowling by Zaida saw her register a five-wicket haul which bundled the lower order and restricted India to 314/9.
The West Indies innings could not have started worse as opener Qiana Joseph was run out off the very first ball. Miscommunication between Joseph, who did not play a single ball, and skipper Hayley Matthews saw the former left with virtually no chance of reaching the crease in time and inflicting a disastrous start for the side.
The skipper departed two overs later for a duck as she was caught behind by Richa Ghosh off Renuka Singh's delivery. Although the on-field decision signalled not out, Richa remained adamant and the review paid off as both openers were dismissed without making an impact on the scoreboard.
She opted to take the second of her five-wicket haul in her next over, with Deandra Dottin's attempt to slog the ball saw the wickets being castled over.
Titas Sadhu picked her sole wicket of the day just two deliveries later as her inswinging delivery found the gap between bat and pad of Rashada Williams to send the visitors reeling at 11/4.
Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne and Shabika Gajnabi all became the casualty of Renuka's onslaught as India further strengthened their grip on the game.
Afy Fletcher, who was the highest scorer for the visitors, remained not out at 24 runs as two wickets by Priya Mishra and a solitary wicket by Deepti Sharma bundled West Indies for 103 runs in 26.2 overs to ensure an emphatic win.
Brief scores: India W 314/9 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 91, Harleen Deol 44; Zaida James 5-45) won over West Indies W 103/10 in 26.2 overs (Afy Fletcher 24 not out; Renuka Singh 5-29, Priya Mishra 2-22) by 211 runs.
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