India 314 for 9 (Mandhana 91, Harleen 44, James 5-45) beat West Indies 103 (Fletcher 24, Renuka 5-29) by 211 runs
After a T20I sequence that went to the decider, the primary of three ODIs between India and West Indies was a completely one-sided fare. The hosts dominated from begin to end regardless of not batting to full potential, whereas nonetheless scoring an imposing 314 for 9, after which hardly flexed their bowling muscle to run previous a West Indies line-up that folded like 9 pins.
India will look again at their batting efficiency with blended feelings regardless of the huge victory margin. For the primary half of their innings, they seemed to be caught in second gear, with that safety-first strategy that has troubled them in ODIs recently but once more taking priority regardless of Mandhana wanting in glowing kind, like she has within the format all by way of the yr.
The warning initially was largely all the way down to a nervous debutant – Pratika Rawal – auditioning to be Mandhana’s batting accomplice on the prime of the order after quite a few experiments earlier within the month in Australia – most notably Richa Ghosh opening – fell flat.
Smriti Mandhana continued her splendid kind•BCCI
Rawal made 40 in a 110-run opening stand however was aided by loads of luck alongside the best way. On 1, she gloved a tickle to the wicketkeeper, however West Indies did not evaluate. On 3, Afy Fletcher dropped a sitter at mid-off as she tried her first aggressive shot. In between the 2, she survived a decent run-out alternative. To Rawal’s credit score, she overcame all of those to slowly construct her innings, earlier than falling to an unreal return catch to Mathews, as she threw herself full-stretch to pluck a one-handed stunner.
This turned evident nearly instantly when Harmanpreet modified the tempo of the innings upon arrival, dashing to 32 off 20 by way of her trademark sweeps and ferocious lofted hits, earlier than a mix-up with Richa Ghosh, whereas making an attempt a run to quick third, lower quick her innings.
Ghosh and Rodrigues performed advantageous cameos that helped present India the ending kick, whereas additionally permitting them to paper over the muddle within the center overs, with the final 20 overs bringing 160. Ghosh confirmed off her full vary of energy, timing and fineness – multi function, as she made a 13-ball 26, whereas Rodrigues, now seen as a finisher, made 31 off 19.
The impact of Renuka’s spell has a mesmeric impact on the others too. Titas Sadhu picked up her first ODI wicket and younger legspinner Priya Mishra delivered 4.2 artful overs for 2 wickets. All instructed, the look of horror on Shemaine Campbelle’s face when she nailed a lofted hit just for an acrobatic Harmanpreet to intercept the ball at mid-on by leaping excessive and pulling off a one-handed seize summed up the night for the West Indies.
It was at least a horror present with the bat, which they’d hope to enhance on as they construct in direction of a 50-over World Cup on these very shores in 10 months.
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
