On December 22, 2024, India’s women’s cricket team showcased their dominance with a resounding 211-run victory over the West Indies in the first ODI of the series at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. Batting first after losing the toss, India's openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal laid the foundation for India’s innings, compiling a solid 110-run partnership. Mandhana spearheaded the innings with her impressive 91 runs off 102 balls, which included 13 boundaries before her dismissal by Zaida James.
The score of 314/9 marks one of India’s notable successes, reinforcing their position within women’s cricket. The team's middle order shone brightly, with contributions from Harleen Deol (44 off 50), Harmanpreet Kaur (34 off 23), Richa Ghosh (26 off 12), and Jemimah Rodrigues (31 off 19). These performances contributed to India’s formidable total, placing immense pressure on the visiting side.
India’s innings was peppered with aggressive play, which was propelled by fluid stroke-making and strategic partnerships. Mandhana, who continues her streak of five consecutive fifties, expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance. “I’m feeling very good,” she stated post-match. “It’s rewarding to see the team come together and play effectively.”
Chasing 315 runs proved to be an unattainable target for the West Indies, as they stumbled right from the beginning. The visitors suffered from poor running between the wickets, highlighted when opener Qiana Joseph was run out without facing any deliveries. This set the tone for a disastrous batting performance. Captain Hayley Matthews also failed to make an impact, falling for a duck.
Renuka Singh, the standout performer with the ball, secured her maiden five-wicket haul (5/29) and led the charge against the Windies' batting line-up. After being back on the scene following injury concerns, she looked at home, dismantling the West Indies with her in-swing deliveries and strategic bowling plan. “It really feels good to claim this maiden fifer now because it’s hard to get wickets in this format,” stated Renuka, encapsulating her hard work and commitment to the game. Her rise and ability to perform under pressure were inevitable after intense preparation sessions leading up to the series.
West Indies' batting order faltered as wickets tumbled, reduced to 34/6 within the first 13 overs of their innings. Priya Mishra (2/22) and Titas Sadhu (1/24) also made their presence felt with decisive strikes. Despite the top-order collapse, Afy Fletcher (24 not out) and Shemaine Campbelle (21) managed to muster some runs, but it was too little too late, as the West Indies were eventually bowled out for 103 runs in just 26.2 overs.
Reflecting on the game, West Indies coach Shane Deitz expressed disappointment with the defeat but defended the decision to bowl first, stating, “The idea was to get some early wickets, put India under pressure and restrict them under 250. Losing early wickets threw us out of the game.”
This staggering victory not only secures India's lead in the three-match series, but it also marks their second-biggest win margin by runs in women’s ODI history, only trailing behind the 249-run victory over Ireland back in 2017. With the opening win, India looks to solidify their momentum as they prepare for the remaining matches against the West Indies, aiming to clinch the series with continued dominance.
