Hamilton

India rode on brilliant centuries by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur and a stellar performance by the bowlers to defeat West Indies by 155 runs in the ICC Women's World Cup 2022 here at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.

This is West Indies' first defeat in the ongoing World Cup. Batting first, Indian opening batter Smriti scored 123 from 119 balls while in-form Harmanpreet smashed 109 from just 107 deliveries as star duo guided Women in Blue to a massive total of 317/8, the highest ever by the Indian team in the World Cup.

Chasing the target of 318, West Indies enjoyed a scintillating start as their openers put on 100 runs after 12 overs. Deandra Dottin completed her half-century in the first power play as WI looked to chase the mammoth of a target with ease. However, Dottin soon faced a back issue which forced a lengthy break.

After the resumption, Sneh Rana gave India their first breakthrough as Dottin walked back with a brilliant 62 from 46 deliveries.

The wicket of Dottin triggered a collapse for the Windies as Kycia Knight was then removed by Meghna Singh in the 16th over. In the 18th and 19th over Meghna Singh and Sneh Rana struck again to remove Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews respectively.

Pooja Vastrakarsoon joined the party as she bagged the wicket of Shemaine Campbelle in the 23rd over. And in the very next over Rajeshwari Gayakwad trapped Chinelle Henry for LBW.

With wickets falling at regular intervals, West Indies were bowled out for 162 in 40,3 overs.  Veteran Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami took her World Cup tally of wickets to 40, breaking the 34-year record of 39 wickets by former Australia cricketer Lyn Fullston. Sneh ended the day with three wickets.

Earlier, opting to bat first, opener Yastika Bhatia helped India make a explosive start in Hamilton. Bhatia smashed 31 off just 21 deliveries before departing. Indian skipper Mithali Raj (5) holed out shortly after as India were reduced to 58/2 in the 10th over. Deepti Sharma was then removed by experienced Anisa Mohammed in the 14th over.

But after that Smriti and Harmanpreet started their counterattack to help India go beyond 300 runs.

Brief Scores:

India 317/8 (Smriti Mandhana 123, Harmanpreet Kaur 109; Anisa Mohammed 2-59)

West Indies 162/10(Deandra Dottin 62, Hayley Matthews 43; Sneh Rana 3-22).