India triumph in 1st T20I against West Indies - Talking points

India delivered a strong performance in their T20I match against the West Indies, setting a total of 195/4. Smriti Mandhana was key to the innings, scoring 54 off 33 balls and becoming only the second player in T20I history to score 28 fifties. Jemimah Rodrigues also impressed with 73 off 35 balls, while Uma Chetry, Richa Ghosh, and Harmanpreet Kaur contributed to the team's high score.

Deandra Dottin fought hard for the West Indies, scoring a quickfire 52, but her efforts weren't enough as the required run rate became too steep. Titas Sadhu stood out with the ball, taking 3 important wickets, including Dottin's.

Smriti Mandhana's milestone

Smriti Mandhana became only the second player in T20I cricket to score 28 fifty plus scores, following New Zealand’s Suzie Bates (29). Mandhana’s knock of 54 off 33 balls, which included 7 boundaries and 2 sixes, was a key highlight of India’s innings. Her strike rate of 163.64, along with her consistent boundary hitting, helped India to set up a strong total of 195/4, marking their third-highest score in T20Is.

Jemimah Rodrigues shines

Jemimah Rodrigues also impressed with a well-paced 73 off 35 balls, including 9 fours and two sixes. Alongside Mandhana, she helped India maintain a high run rate throughout their innings. Her aggressive play, especially against the West Indian spinners, highlighted her growth in T20 cricket. Rodrigues was run out after delivering a stunning six off Deandra Dottin hitting a full ball over mid-off.

Uma Chetry’s solid start

Uma Chetry, who opened the batting for India, scored 24 runs off 26 balls. She started off carefully, but her strong domestic form, including a great 122 off 71 balls in the T20 Challenger Trophy was clear reflected. Chetry then tried to play more aggressively but was dismissed by Karishma Ramharack.

Richa, Harmanpreet's quick contributions

Richa Ghosh scored 20 runs off 14 balls, including a six, before being dismissed at deep midwicket. Harmanpreet Kaur stayed not out on 13 off 11 balls, helping India finish with a strong total of 195/4 after 20 overs.

Dottin's fightback

Deandra Dottin was the lone fighter for West Indies, providing much needed momentum. After a slow start, she took control in the 8th over, hitting 2 consecutive boundaries and a six. Her quickfire 52, however, was not enough to turn the tide in favor of West Indies. After her dismissal, the required run rate became too steep for the West Indies side, leaving them needing 57 runs from the last 12 balls.

Titas Sadhu dazzles with the ball

Sadhu was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3 important wickets in the middle overs. She made the breakthrough early in the chase, dismissing Hayley Matthews for just 1 with a brilliant catch by substitute fielder M Mani. Sadhu also got the key wicket of Dottin, who had smashed a rapid 52 runs off 28 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. Dottin’s dismissal came in the 12th over after a powerful shot was caught by Radha Yadav at long on.