The India women's cricket team made a strong statement as they defeated the West Indies by 49 runs during the opening match of the three-match T20 International series, held at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on December 15, 2024. This victory was particularly sweet as it came right after a disappointing 0-3 ODI series loss to Australia, giving the Indian team immediate momentum.
After losing the toss, India was put to bat first, and they took full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions. The Indian lineup posted 195 runs for the loss of four wickets, marking their third-highest total ever in women's T20 cricket. The innings was led by superb performances from Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana, who scored 73 runs off 35 balls and 54 runs off 33 balls, respectively. Their aggressive batting set the tone for the innings, with Mandhana hitting two sixes and seven fours on her way to her 28th fifty in T20is.
The West Indies bowlers struggled, facing relentless pressure from the Indian batswomen. Uma Chetry provided solid support, partnering with Mandhana for 50 runs for the opening wicket before being dismissed by Karishma Ramharack. Despite the initial setback, Rodrigues quickly settled and, alongside Mandhana, kept the scoreboard ticking, ensuring India had momentum heading toward the end of their innings.
At the halfway mark of the innings, India was comfortably placed at 84/1 and rapidly crossed the hundred-run mark. While Mandhana’s dismissal came as the innings aimed to accelerate, Richa Ghosh chipped in with quick runs, scoring 20 off just 14 deliveries. But it was Rodrigues’s late flourish, featuring nine fours and two sixes, which propelled India to the imposing total of 195. Although Karishma Ramharack bowled excellently for the West Indies, claiming two wickets for just 18 runs, her teammates struggled to contain the Indian batsmen.
Chasing 196 runs for victory, the West Indies started poorly, losing their captain Hayley Matthews early, dismissed in the second over. With the pressure mounting, the Caribbean team found themselves at 36/2 after Shemaine Campbelle was dismissed. Despite these early losses, Deandra Dottin and Qiana Joseph sought to rebuild the innings through their partnership. Dottin's explosive knock of 52 runs off just 28 balls included some spectacular strokes, including towering sixes. Joseph scored 49 runs from 33 balls but was eventually stumped as the pressure from the Indian bowlers mounted.
The West Indies seemed poised to mount a challenge, particularly under Dottin's aggressive batting. Nevertheless, the Indian bowlers tightened their grip, and Titas Sadhu’s pivotal breakthrough of dismissing Qiana Joseph shifted the momentum firmly back to India. Sadhu ended the match with impressive figures of three wickets for 37 runs; Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav also contributed, each taking two wickets and keeping the West Indies' run chase under constant pressure.
With the West Indies’ innings finishing at 146 runs for seven wickets, India emerged victorious, securing the match by 49 runs. This match not only marked the beginning of the series but also allowed the Indian team to shift the focus from their prior struggles and regain their winning form on home soil.
Following the match, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews commented on her decision to field first: "We are going to bowl first. Looks like the wicket won't change much. For us, we just want to play our best brand of cricket." Her counterpart, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed satisfaction with her team's performance, stating, "We would have bowled first as well. We just want to play good cricket in this series. We did really well, especially in India. This is our first game in India after the T20 WC. Saima is making her debut."
Looking forward, the second match of the series will take place on December 17 at the same venue, where India will aim to build on their successful start and secure the series win against the West Indies.
