INDW vs WIW: Smriti Mandhana, Renuka power India to biggest ODI win at home
The Indian women’s team hammered the West Indies women’s team by a mammoth 211-run margin in the 1st ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on December 22, Sunday.
With this triumph, India registered their biggest ODI win by a run margin at home. The 221-run victory is also the Indian women team’s overall 2nd biggest win. India women delivered a commanding performance to secure a massive victory. The hosts excelled in all departments, led by Renuka Singh Thakur’s sensational five-wicket haul. The West Indies team’s batting and bowling scorecard painted a sorry picture as they conceded their biggest-ever loss in the 50-over format.
Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 314/9 in their 50 overs. Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a classy 91, continuing her exceptional form. Opening alongside debutant Pratika Rawat, Mandhana set the tone and Rawat managed to score 40 runs off 69 balls. Harleen Deol contributed a solid 44, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh powered the innings in the death overs with quickfire knocks of 34 and 26, respectively.
India’s emphatic win
West Indies’ fielding woes compounded their problems as they dropped crucial catches and conceded 25 extras, including 17 wides. Zaida James was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, claiming four wickets for 55 runs in her 8 overs. However, the visitors struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting.
IND-W vs WI-W: As it happened
In response, West Indies crumbled under the pressure of a steep chase. The innings got off to a disastrous start, with both openers, Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph, dismissed for ducks. Renuka Singh was the star with the ball, claiming a career-best 5/29. She removed key batters Deandra Dottin (8) and Shemaine Campbelle (21), ensuring West Indies never found momentum.
The visitors’ top four all fell for single-digit scores, and their middle order offered little resistance. Afiya Fletcher’s unbeaten 24 was the only notable contribution as West Indies were bowled out for a paltry 103 in just 26.2 overs. India’s bowling unit maintained relentless pressure, with Titas Sadhu and Priya Mishra also chipping in with crucial wickets.
This emphatic victory showcased India’s all-round dominance. Mandhana’s brilliance with the bat and Renuka’s career milestone with the ball showed their collective effort. The West Indies, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and address their batting failures and subpar fielding, as they look to bounce back in the series. The win gave India a strong start to the ODI series, with the hosts aiming to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches.