Harleen Deol's Maiden Ton Guides India to Series Win Over West Indies
India claimed a dominant 115-run victory in the second ODI against the West Indies in Vadodara on Tuesday, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The standout performance came from Harleen Deol, whose maiden ODI century paved the way for India’s impressive total.
Deol Leads India’s Charge: Opting to bat first, India got off to a flying start with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal. Mandhana, in particular, was aggressive from the outset, smashing a boundary off the second ball and hitting a six off both Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher. The openers put on a solid 110-run partnership in just 99 balls before Mandhana was run out in a mix-up. Rawal continued her good form, bringing up a half-century, but India’s momentum slowed as boundaries became scarce.
Deol, initially struggling to keep up with the pace of the game, was dropped on 19 by Deandra Dottin at square leg. She eventually found her rhythm, hitting three boundaries in quick succession. Rawal, aiming to accelerate, was dismissed for 76, and just when Deol started picking up pace, Harmanpreet Kaur was bowled out by Fletcher.
However, the Indian middle order, led by Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues, ensured the scoring picked up again. Rodrigues blasted six boundaries off just seven balls against Zaida James, while Deol smashed three consecutive boundaries off Dottin. The pair’s assault in the final overs propelled India to a massive total of 358/5, their second-highest ever in ODIs.
Matthews Fights, But West Indies Fall Short: Chasing a daunting target, West Indies were quickly reduced to 69/4 in the first 16 overs, with Qiana Joseph, Nerissa Crafton, Rashada Williams, and Dottin all back in the pavilion. However, Matthews found support in Shemaine Campbelle, and the pair forged a 112-run partnership, with Campbelle attacking Priya Mishra for three consecutive boundaries. The duo fought valiantly, keeping West Indies in the hunt despite the mounting required rate.
But once Titas Sadhu dismissed Campbelle, West Indies' resistance crumbled. Matthews, who brought up her seventh ODI century, was dropped on 103, but couldn’t capitalize as she was dismissed in the very next over, caught at deep mid-wicket. The West Indian lower order, including James and Fletcher, couldn’t add much resistance, and India wrapped up the innings for 243 in 46.2 overs.
India's Clinical Bowling Attack: India’s bowlers were clinical, with Priya Mishra claiming 3 wickets for 49 runs, while Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, and Titas Sadhu each chipped in with two wickets. Mishra's three-wicket haul helped India seal a comprehensive victory and secure the series.
Brief Scores:
- India Women: 358/5 in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 115, Pratika Rawal 76; Afy Fletcher 1-38)
- West Indies Women: 243 in 46.2 overs (Hayley Matthews 106, Shemaine Campbelle 38; Priya Mishra 3-49, Pratika Rawal 2-37)India won by 115 runs and sealed the series 2-0.
