India’s women cricket team secured a dominant 211-run victory against a depleted West Indies side in the first One Day International match played at Vadodara on Sunday.
Opting to bowl first, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews saw the Indian side make a strong start, thanks to the return of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the in-form opener Smriti Mandhana, paired with debutant Pratika Rawal from Delhi.
The new opening duo added a solid 110 runs before Pratika, making 40 off 69 balls, was dismissed.
Smriti, meanwhile, unleashed her attacking style, dominating the West Indies bowlers. Harleen Deol, who contributed 50 runs, played a supportive role alongside Smriti before the latter was dismissed for an outstanding 91 off 102 balls.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then took over, providing some fireworks with a brisk 34 off 23 balls before being run out.
India’s aggressive approach continued with wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who scored 34 off 23, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who smashed 31 off 19 balls, helping India reach an imposing total of 314.
In response, the West Indies faltered early, crumbling under relentless pressure from India’s bowlers.
Pace spearhead Renuka Singh was the star, taking her first ODI five-wicket haul with brilliant figures of 5 for 29. Priya Mishra and Deepti Sharma took 2 and 1 wickets, respectively to wrap up the West Indies innings.
Renuka Singh, for her brilliant bowling, was awarded Player of the Match. With this emphatic win, India leads the three-match series 1-0. The second ODI will be played on December 24.
