IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: Jemimah, Vastrakar Star As India Women Defend 141 To Defeat West Indies
India Women won their first warm-up match in style [Source: @BCCIWomen/x.com]
India Women defeated West Indies Women by 20 runs in their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-Up fixture in Dubai on Sunday. Here’s the timeline of how IND-W vs WI-W panned out in Dubai-
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: Jemimah’s Steady Hand Amid Early Struggles
India Women's innings got off to a shaky start as both openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, fell cheaply. Shafali was caught behind off Chinelle Henry for 7, while Mandhana followed soon after, gifting Hayley Matthews her first wicket after scoring 14 off 18.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s stay was even shorter, scoring just 1 before falling to Matthews, leaving India reeling at 21/3. However, Jemimah Rodrigues stepped up when the chips were down, playing a vital knock of 52 off 40 balls.
Her innings was a masterclass in composure, as she anchored India’s recovery, finding support from Yastika Bhatia, who contributed 24 off 25 balls. The duo stitched together a 50-run partnership, helping India cross the 70-run mark before Yastika was bowled by Matthews.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: Matthews Weaves Magic as India Stumbles at the End
Just as India looked set to accelerate, Hayley Matthews struck again. Richa Ghosh was run out for 7, and Jemimah’s valiant knock came to an end courtesy of a sharp run-out, leaving India at 113/6. Matthews completed a four-wicket haul, dismissing Arundhati Reddy and creating constant headaches for the Indian batters.
Deepti Sharma’s late cameo of 13 off 8 and a few quick boundaries from Pooja Vastrakar (9 off 6) helped India finish at 141/8. Matthews was the pick of the bowlers with 4/17, while Henry and Munisar chipped in with a wicket each.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: Early Wickets Rattle West Indies Chasing Target
West Indies Women’s chase got off to a disastrous start as Indian bowlers ran riot early on. Captain Hayley Matthews, the star with the ball, fell for a duck to Renuka Singh in the third over.
Qiana Joseph followed suit, scoring just 1 before Pooja Vastrakar sent her packing. Chedean Nation couldn’t make an impact either, bowled by Vastrakar for 4. At 13/3, West Indies were in hot water, and the pressure was mounting.
Shemaine Campbelle attempted to steady the ship with a patient 20 off 38 balls, but the run-rate continued to climb. Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma kept the West Indies batters on a tight leash, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals.
IND-W vs WI-W Highlights: Henry’s Lone Resistance Goes in Vain
Chinelle Henry stood tall amid the chaos, playing a valiant knock of 59* off 48 balls, keeping West Indies’ hopes alive. Her aggressive stroke play, which included six boundaries and two sixes, kept India on their toes. However, she received little support from the other end, as wickets continued to tumble.
Deepti Sharma’s double strike, including the wickets of Zaida James and Aaliyah Alleyne, further dented West Indies’ chase. Afy Fletcher’s cameo of 21 off 14 balls offered brief hope, but she was dismissed by Radha Yadav just when the West Indies needed a final push.
Ultimately, the West Indies Women finished at 120/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 20 runs. Pooja Vastrakar was the standout bowler with figures of 3/20, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with 2/11, as India’s disciplined bowling attack paved the way for a well-earned victory.