Harleen Deol Smashes Maiden Century; Smriti, Pratika, and Jemimah Shine
Vadodara, December 24 – The Indian women’s cricket team showcased a dominant performance in the second ODI of the three-match series, defeating the West Indies by a massive 115-run margin. With this win, india secured an unassailable lead in the series, continuing their stellar form from the T20 series.
The match, held at the Vadodara cricket ground, witnessed a historic combined total of 601 runs, making it an unforgettable encounter. India’s commanding total of 358 proved too steep for the visitors, who were bowled out for 243.
India’s Batting Fireworks: Harleen Leads the Charge
Winning the toss, India elected to bat and delivered a batting masterclass. Smriti Mandhana (53) and Pratika Rawal (76) provided a solid start, stitching a 110-run partnership for the first wicket. Harleen Deol stole the show with her maiden ODI century, smashing 115 runs off 103 balls. Her innings, filled with precision and power, was the cornerstone of India’s monumental total.
Jemimah Rodrigues contributed a valuable 52 runs, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with 22. India’s total of 358/5 marked their second-highest score in ODI history, further solidifying their batting prowess.
West Indies’ Response Falters Despite Matthews’ Heroics
Chasing 359, the West Indies batting lineup struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Captain Hayley Matthews stood tall with a remarkable century, keeping her team’s hopes alive for some time. However, her valiant effort was in vain as the rest of the batting lineup crumbled.
Shamane Campbell (38), Zaida James (25), Afy Fletcher (22), and Qeanna Joseph (15) were the only other notable contributors. The West Indies were eventually bowled out for 243, handing India a convincing win.
Indian Bowlers Seal the Victory
India’s bowlers were relentless in their attack, dismantling the West Indies lineup with precision. Priya Mishra led the charge with three wickets, while Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, and Titas Sadhu claimed two wickets each. Renuka Singh also chipped in with a crucial wicket to cap off an all-round bowling effort.
Player of the Match: Harleen Deol
Harleen Deol’s maiden ODI century earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Her innings not only provided the foundation for India’s victory but also underscored her rising stature in international cricket.
West Indies’ Bowling Efforts
For the West Indies, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Zaida James, and Qeanna Joseph each picked up a wicket. However, their efforts were overshadowed by India’s relentless dominance with the bat.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.