NAVI MUMBAI, India — An electrifying half-century from Jemimah Rodrigues and a blistering spell of fast bowling by Titus Sadhu propelled India Women to a dominant 49-run triumph over West Indies Women in the opening T20 International at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first after losing the toss, India wasted no time asserting control. Opener Smriti Mandhana set the tone with an authoritative 54 off 33 balls, while Rodrigues, playing with audacious flair, hammered 73 from just 33 deliveries — an innings laced with nine sparkling boundaries and two massive sixes.
The Indian innings gained momentum early as Mandhana and opening partner Uma Chetry tore into the West Indian attack. Zaida James was on the receiving end in the second over, leaking 13 runs, while Chinelle Henry saw a golden opportunity slip through her fingers as captain Hayley Matthews dropped Chetry at slip. The duo capitalized, stitching together a 50-run opening partnership in just six overs.
Chetry’s promising knock of 24 came to an end when offspinner Karishma Ramharack bowled her, but the platform had been laid. Mandhana and Rodrigues, undeterred, unleashed a furious 81-run partnership in just seven overs. Rodrigues found her stride quickly, dispatching Afy Fletcher to the boundary twice in the eighth over before both batters targeted Matthews in the 13th, each hammering a pair of boundaries.
Mandhana reached her half-century in style, facing just 30 balls, but fell moments later to Ramharack, caught brilliantly at extra cover by Qiana Joseph.
Sadhu strikes early, West Indies falter in chase
Rodrigues, undeterred by Mandhana’s dismissal, continued her assault with breath-taking shots, including a towering six and a blistering four off Deandra Dottin in the penultimate over. She eventually fell to a run-out in the dying moments, but India had already amassed an imposing 195 for 4, their third-highest T20I total. Ramharack stood out for West Indies, finishing with an impressive 2 for 18 in her four-over spell.
Chasing a formidable target of 196, West Indies Women’s innings stumbled almost immediately as star batter Hayley Matthews fell for just two runs. The prized wicket came courtesy of Titus Sadhu, who induced a sensational catch by substitute fielder Mani, diving brilliantly after tracking back at mid-on.
West Indies’ struggles continued when Shemaine Campbelle, showing brief resistance with a pair of boundaries, was bowled by Deepti Sharma for 13, undone by a delivery that stayed low. By the seventh over, the visitors had slumped to 36 for 2.
Joseph, Dottin provide brief resistance
In a fleeting moment of promise, opener Qiana Joseph and the explosive Deandra Dottin partnered for a brisk 44-run stand. Dottin announced herself with a thunderous six off Sharma over deep midwicket, followed by a reverse-swept boundary, while Joseph dismantled Saima Thakor with four consecutive boundaries in a costly eighth over that yielded 18 runs.
However, Joseph’s counterattack ended in heartbreak as she fell one run short of a half-century. Attempting another big shot, she chipped Sadhu to mid-off, where Thakor held a simple catch. Her dismissal at 49 proved to be the decisive blow, extinguishing any lingering hopes of a miraculous chase.
Dottin fights alone as India seal comprehensive win
While Dottin fought valiantly to notch her 13th T20I half-century, her lone brilliance wasn’t enough to salvage the innings. Bereft of support, West Indies could only muster 146 for 7 from their 20 overs, falling 49 runs short of the target.
Sadhu emerged as the standout bowler for India with figures of 3 for 37, dismantling the West Indies top order. Sharma (2 for 20) and Radha Yadav (2 for 30) also played key roles in sealing the emphatic victory.
India’s triumph in the series opener was as clinical as it was commanding, setting the tone for a promising campaign.
