India scored a six-wicket victory in the crucial ODI against the West Indies, despite domestic skipper Stafanie Taylor beating 79 men.
India had the advantage of early exchange and reduced West Indies to 50/4 within 20 overs. The hosts then rallied, with Taylor leading the charge. A 34-run stance with Kyshona Knight stabilized the ship, and a 96-run stance with Stacy-Ann King drew her close to 200.
A late flood of wickets meant that the West Indies did not quite break this mark, but in a series where it was difficult to score a goal, it was difficult overall. Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana have made it the easiest thing in the world.
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The marvelous pair put out 141 in 25 overs for the first wicket, each producing sublime half-centuries. Mandhana was the more aggressive of the two, scoring three sixes in her 63-ball 74, a strike that earned her the title of Player of the Match. With the stroke that brought her to 50, she crossed the milestone of 2000 ODI races and reached the mark in only 51 innings, the third-fastest in women’s cricket. It was a return from an injury.
Hayley Matthews, who became active after a disciplinary ban, dismissed both openers to briefly hope for a Caribbean comeback, but Mithali Raj and Punam Raut were able to alleviate India’s concerns.
Both fell with the result of 190, but with five runs needed to win, India cruised home with plenty in the tank. The teams resume the fight for a T20I series with five games on November 9th.
