Indian women cricket players celebrate a wicket during the first ODI against West Indies in Vadodara on December 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji
There’s no stopping Smriti Mandhana. Despite a quick turnaround time after a hectic T20I series, she swiftly changed formats and continued her fine form with a classy 91 (102b, 13×4) as India piled up 314 for nine — its second-highest total in ODIs — before Renuka Singh Thakur’s maiden fifer (5 for 29) powered India to a 211-run win against the West Indies in the series opener.
As the Kotambi Stadium hosted its maiden international fixture on Sunday, Smriti, coming on the back of three consecutive T20I fifties, set the platform and forged a 110-run opening stand with debutant Pratika Rawal on a sluggish black soil surface.
Sent in to bat, it was a slow start for Smriti and Pratika. While it took Pratika 33 deliveries to hit her first boundary, Smriti was at her fluent best as she kept the scoreboard ticking and ensured there was no slip-up.
With Smriti taking the pressure off with a few boundaries, Pratika could slowly build her innings and stitch a steady partnership. Smriti hammered a delivery from Afy Fletcher past mid-wicket to bring up her 28th ODI fifty — fifth consecutive across formats — and looked in fine touch.
Smriti Mandhana plays a shot during the first ODI against West Indies in Vadodara on December 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
Vijay Soneji
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews ended Pratika’s stay with a sharp return catch, but India did not stutter as Smriti built another 50-run stand with Harleen Deol before being trapped leg before by Zaida James (5 for 45) — nine short of a century.
Though Zaida impressed, listless bowling from the other end and sloppy fielding let West Indies down, and making most of the opportunity, India could build regular partnerships en route to the 300-run mark.
The West Indies team was unhappy with Harleen’s dismissal being overturned early on by the DRS, it somehow fought back to prevent the home team from going past 325.
Negating the dew factor, Renuka’s fiery opening spell and some tight bowling by Titas Sadhu meant West Indies was never in the chase. While Qiana Joseph was run out on the first ball, Renuka added to Windies’ woes with a few unplayable in-swingers. As the top-order crumbled, the visiting team was reeling at 34 for 6, before being bundled out for 103.
The scores: India 314/9 in 50 overs (Smriti 91, Harleen 44, Pratika 40; Zaida 5/45) bt West Indies 103 in 26.2 overs (Renuka 5/29); Toss: West Indies. PoM: Renuka.
Published – December 22, 2024 09:44 pm IST
