The Indian women’s team wrapped up a 5-0 whitewash against West Indies in the T20I series with a 61-run win at Guyana on Thursday. The visitors set the Windies a moderate target of 135 runs after stand-in skipper, Smriti Mandhana opted to bat first. After a delay caused by a floodlight snag, Jemimah Rodrigues (50) and Veda Krishnamurthy (57*) stitched a huge partnership of 117 runs for the third wicket.
The Windies struggled to score runs from the start of the innings and the introduction of spin from both ends made it even difficult for them. Anuja Patil (2/3) continued her good work from the fourth game while Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar, Poonam Yadav and Harleen Deol picked up a wicket each. The Windies limped to 73/7 at the close.
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But, it was Anisa Mohammed’s side that was making the right moves at the start of the contest. Shafali Verma had hit a six but was brilliantly caught by Hayley Matthews off her own bowling. Mandhana, going over the top, hit it straight to Matthews at long-off. However, a fifteen-minute delay after yet another floodlight snag helped India plan the innings well.
Rodrigues and Krishnamurthy were happy to get singles and rotate strike. West Indies’ bowlers failed to stop the Indian duo. Natasha McLean started the chase with a six but Mandhana’s field placements were smart and the bowlers also did a brilliant job. The West Indies opener lofted the ball straight to Deol at deep mid-wicket. Kyshona Knight (22) struggled all the way as the pressure mounted when the slow bowlers came on as Patil’s double strike paved the way.
Taniya Bhatia had yet another solid showing behind the stumps and took a fine low catch to send back Chinelle Henry and gave Radha Yadav yet another dismissal with a smart stumping, dismissing Sheneta Grimmond.
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India added another important chapter during their preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup. As for West Indies, they desperately missed senior players Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin, slumping to their ninth straight defeat in the format.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s dominating series win:
5-0 series wins in Women's T20I cricket:
Zimbabwe vs Namibia, 2019
Namibia vs Bostwana, 2019
INDIA vs WEST INDIES, 2019#WIWvINDW— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) November 21, 2019
🌴🏏 #WIWvINDW India Women win the 5th T20I by 61 runs. India Women 134/3, West Indies Women 73/7, Kyshona Knight 22. #WIAllIn #WestIndies #WI #WestIndiesCricket pic.twitter.com/O3RKTbaIsy
— WIPA (@wiplayers) November 21, 2019
