December 24, 2024 | Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
The second ODI between India Women and West Indies Women turned out to be a captivating contest as India secured a dominant victory, taking an unassailable lead in the series. With a brilliant display of both batting and bowling, the Indian team once again showcased why they are a force to be reckoned with in international cricket.
India Women’s Batting Masterclass
Winning the toss, India opted to bat first, aiming to set a formidable target. The dynamic opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and debutant Pratika Rawal walked out with confidence, determined to provide a solid start. The pair did not disappoint, putting together an impressive opening stand.
- Smriti Mandhana: Known for her aggressive and elegant batting style, Mandhana continued her stellar form. She reached her 29th ODI half-century, marking consecutive fifties in the series. Her innings was laced with precision-driven boundaries, keeping the West Indies bowlers under pressure.
- Pratika Rawal: Making waves in her debut series, Rawal exhibited maturity beyond her years. She achieved her maiden international fifty, a knock studded with exquisite drives and calculated aggression. Her partnership with Mandhana was crucial in laying the foundation for India’s total.
The partnership ended with a mix-up that saw Mandhana sacrificing her wicket for 53. However, Rawal carried on, scoring 78 before falling to a soft dismissal.
Middle Order Adds Firepower
The middle order ensured that the momentum was not lost. Harleen Deol, playing with confidence, reached her half-century as well, anchoring the innings alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. The Indian captain added quick runs before being bowled by a superb delivery from Afy Fletcher.
Young star Jemimah Rodrigues then took charge, rotating the strike efficiently and adding valuable runs with Deol. By the end of the innings, India had set a challenging total of 296/6, leaving West Indies with a steep chase.
West Indies’ Struggles Against Indian Bowlers
Chasing 297, the West Indies batters found themselves in trouble early on, thanks to the disciplined bowling of Renuka Singh. Singh’s accuracy and swing were too much for the visitors to handle, as she claimed a remarkable five-wicket haul.
While the West Indies struggled to build partnerships, Afy Fletcher emerged as their top scorer with 24 runs. However, the team was eventually bundled out for just 134 runs, handing India a massive 162-run victory.
Key Moments of the Match
- India’s All-Round Performance: From batting to bowling, every department contributed significantly.
- Emergence of Pratika Rawal: The young opener’s maiden fifty is a promising sign for Indian cricket’s future.
- Renuka Singh’s Spell: Her five wickets sealed the game and emphasized India’s dominance with the ball.
What Lies Ahead
With this win, India has secured the series 2-0, and the focus now shifts to the final ODI. A victory there would mean a clean sweep for India, while West Indies will look to salvage some pride.
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage of the exciting series between India Women vs West Indies Women at Trendsnip
Summary
| Match | Result | Winner | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd ODI: India Women vs West Indies Women | India won by 162 runs | India Women | Renuka Singh's 5-wicket haul decimated West Indies' batting. |
| 1st ODI: India Women vs West Indies Women | India won by 8 wickets | India Women | Smriti Mandhana's unbeaten 78 steered India to a comfortable win. |
| Warm-Up Match: WI Women vs India Women | West Indies won by 4 wickets | West Indies Women | Hayley Matthews' quick 40 and 3 wickets sealed the match. |
| Final T20: India Women vs WI Women | India won by 5 runs | India Women | Harleen Deol's last-over heroics saved the match for India. |
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