India’s women’s cricket team registered a dominant 115-run victory against the West Indies in the second ODI in Vadodara on Tuesday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Harleen Deol’s maiden ODI century proved pivotal, overshadowing Hayley Matthews’ valiant seventh ODI ton for the visitors.
India’s Explosive Start
Opting to bat first, India started aggressively as openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal laid the foundation with breezy half-centuries. Mandhana set the tone early, dispatching the second ball for a boundary over midwicket. Rawal soon joined the onslaught, finding gaps effortlessly and driving through covers against Deandra Dottin.
The duo shared a brisk 110-run stand in just 99 deliveries. However, a mix-up while running between the wickets ended Mandhana’s innings prematurely. Before departing, she showcased her range with several boundaries, including sixes off Matthews and Afy Fletcher.
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Middle-Order Contributions and Harleen Deol’s Revival
Rawal notched her fifty soon after Mandhana’s exit but fell on 76 while attempting to accelerate, hitting Zaida James straight to midwicket. Harleen Deol initially struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking, managing just 34 runs from her first 52 balls. She survived a chance when Dottin dropped her at square leg on 19.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur provided a brief spark with her brisk start, but her stumps were rattled by Fletcher. Deol, however, found her rhythm in the middle overs, hitting three quick boundaries before forming a vital partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues. Rodrigues took the attack to Zaida James, smashing six boundaries in seven balls, which created pressure on the West Indies’ bowlers.
India’s acceleration in the death overs was remarkable. Rodrigues and Deol’s calculated aggression added 109 runs in the final 10 overs. Deol reached her well-deserved century, steering India to a formidable total of 358/5, only their second 350-plus score in ODIs.
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West Indies’ Faltering Chase
Facing a daunting target, West Indies’ chase was off to a shaky start. The Indian bowlers struck early, reducing the visitors to 69 for 4 within the first 16 overs. Qiana Joseph, Nerissa Crafton, Rashada Williams, and Dottin departed cheaply, leaving Hayley Matthews with an uphill task.
Matthews found some support in Shemaine Campbelle, with the pair adding a gritty 112-run stand. Campbelle counterattacked effectively, hammering three consecutive boundaries off spinner Priya Mishra. Despite their efforts, the required run rate kept climbing.
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Late Collapse and India’s Bowling Brilliance
Titas Sadhu’s dismissal of Campbelle triggered a collapse for the West Indies. Matthews continued to fight, completing her century, but lacked support as wickets tumbled at the other end. Matthews’ resilience ended when she was caught at deep midwicket after a dropped catch offered a brief reprieve.
The tailenders’ attempts to add quick runs were futile as Priya Mishra finished with impressive figures of 3/49. Deepti Sharma, Pratika Rawal, and Sadhu each claimed two wickets to bowl out the visitors for 243 in 46.2 overs.
Key Performers
- India W: 358/5 in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 115, Pratika Rawal 76; Afy Fletcher 1-38)
- West Indies W: 243 in 46.2 overs (Hayley Matthews 106, Shemaine Campbelle 38; Priya Mishra 3-49, Pratika Rawal 2-37)
India’s commanding performance, led by Harleen Deol’s maiden century and disciplined bowling, sealed the series with one game to spare. The victory showcased India’s depth in both batting and bowling, further asserting their dominance in the ODI format.
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