In the absence of Shafali Verma, India’s new opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Uma Chetry gave the hosts a bright start to the T20I series after being sent in to bat by the West Indies at DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
India posted a formidable 195-4. The visitors ended up with 146-7, losing by 49 runs. Earlier, vice-captain Mandhana scored 54 (33b, 7×4, 2×6) and local girl Jemimah Rodrigues smashed 73 (35b, 9×4, 2×6).
The Indian openers benefitted by some poor bowling by the Windies right from the start when right-arm medium-pacer Chinelle Henry erred in line and sent down wides down the leg side to left-hander Mandhana from over the wicket. The duo raised 50 in the Powerplay overs.
Brief scores
India Women 195-4 (J Rodrigues 73, S Mandhana 54; K Ramharack 2-18) beat WI Women 146-7 (D Dottin 52; T Sadhu 3-37) by 49 runs