Mandhana, Kaur half-centuries helped India triumph over WI

• Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur hit half-centuries for India.
• Deepti Sharma took 2 for 29 as West Indies were held to 111 runs.
• Shikha Pandey produced efficient stats of 0 for 18 off her four overs.

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, who both struck half-centuries, built up a third-wicket stand that lasted 115 runs without being broken as India reached 167 for 2. In the women’s T20 tri-series, India’s second triumph was made possible by a huge, dominant partnership and the superb bowling that came after.

West Indies were then held to 111 runs by the Indian bowlers, who were headed by Deepti Sharma’s 2 for 29. Shikha Pandey produced efficient stats of 0 for 18 off her four overs in her first T20I since October 2021. The only opposition offered by the West Indies came from a 71-run partnership between Shemaine Campbelle and captain Hayley Matthews.

As India lacked much momentum, Harmanpreet, who had missed the opening match due to illness, found herself in the centre alongside Mandhana. At the ten-over point, they were at 60 for 2, with Mandhana scoring 21 off of 20.

After that, Harmanpreet concluded and began the eleventh over with fours off Matthews, indicating a shift in strategy. India scored 28 in the three overs after refreshments. They also used the sweep to counter Afy Fletcher’s legspin and the delicate dabs to counter Kaysia Schultz’s left-arm spin.

This came after right-arm seamer Shabika Gajnabi’s first over, when wicketkeeper Rashada Williams failed to properly catch Harmanpreet when he was on 21, as required. The next over was bowled by Gajnabi, and Mandhana attacked her, hitting three fours, including one to reach a fifty in 39 balls. She had reached the fifty-mark 20 times, which is third most among T20I players.

With a couple of fours each, Mandhana and Harmanpreet scored 18 runs off Connell’s 18th over. As India managed to score 50 runs off the final four overs, Harmanpreet too reached the fifty-run mark.

Also Read

Smrithi Mandhana in search of Gold after winning semis

India's Smrithi Mandhana hit four four fours in the first over. Katherine...