Dubai: The Indian women’s cricket team built momentum ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a 20-run victory over the West Indies in their first warmup match at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Jemimah Rodrigues hit a crucial half-century to guide India, ranked third in the ICC Women’s T20I standings, to 141 for 8 after being sent in to bat. Pooja Vastrakar then led a disciplined bowling attack that restricted the West Indies to 121 for 8.
India started strongly as Smriti Mandhana hit consecutive boundaries off Zaida James, but they soon stumbled when Chinelle Henry dismissed Shafali Verma (7) in the third over. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur fell for just one run to West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews, who also removed Mandhana (14), reducing India to 23 for 3.
Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia stabilized the innings with a 50-run partnership. Matthews struck again to dismiss Bhatia (24) before Rodrigues was run out for 52. India added late runs through Deepti Sharma (13 off 8 balls), with Matthews finishing with figures of 4 for 17.
Defending a modest total, Vastrakar struck early, removing Qiana Joseph and Chedean Nation in her first two overs. Renuka Singh bowled Matthews for a duck, leaving the West Indies struggling at 13 for 3.
Shemaine Campbelle and Henry offered some resistance, taking the West Indies to 70 for 3. Asha Sobhana broke the partnership by bowling Campbelle, and despite Henry’s unbeaten 59, India kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Vastrakar finished with 3 for 20, while Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav chipped in with wickets.
India will play South Africa in their next warm-up match on Tuesday before starting their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Friday.
IND-W vs WI-W Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up brief scores: India 141/8 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 52; Hayley Matthews 4/17) beat West Indies 121/8 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 59*; Pooja Vastrakar 3/20).
