Women’s World Cup: Hundreds of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur defeat India in 155 runs vs West Indies

Sport

India bounced back strongly from their tame loss to New Zealand by beating West Indies by 155 runs in their third game of the 2022 Women’s World Cup in Hamilton on Saturday. Mithali Raj’s side got their campaign back on track as they rose to the top of the 8-team points table with 4 points from 3 games and a positive net run rate of 1,333.

India rode hundreds of Smriti Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109) before Sneh Rana and Meghna Singh picked up 5 wickets together to put on a dominant show and stop the West Indies’ 2-match winning run.

India scored a mammoth total of 317/8 before conceding West Indies for 162 in just 40.3 overs to make a mark at the World Cup. The 2017 edition runners-up looked shattered after a terrible batting performance against hosts White Ferns, but Saturday’s strong show with the bat would have given the side a massive confidence boost.

Smriti Mandhana shared the player of the game Price with Harmanpreet and said she thinks they both deserved it equally.

“Well I think scoring a century and not being player of the game is something I really wouldn’t want. I think we both contributed equally to getting 300 points. It’s good for us to share the trophy. Both of us are good contenders to get this (award),” said Smriti Mandhana.

Mandhana smashed her fifth ODI hundred riddled with 13 fours and two sixes, while Kaur had 10 shots to the fence and two maximums in her fourth ton and the first since she failed to hit 171 against Australia at the 2017 World Cup.

The duo took India past the 200 mark after skipper Mithali Raj won the toss and opted for the bat. This was also India’s highest partnership for a wicket at the Women’s World Cup.

It was also the 3rd World Cup hundred for Harmanpreet, passing Smriti and Mithali and setting a new Indian record.

India were criticized for their timid approach in the first 20 overs as they pursued 261 against New Zealand. The team scored just 50 runs in the first 20 overs but got off to a flying start on Saturday as Yastika Bhatia, who replaced Shafali Verma after the game against Pakistan, got off to a good start.

However, India lost quick wickets as captain Mithali failed again. They were teetering at 72/3 before Smriti and Harmanpreet took over attacking the West Indies bowlers.

SNEH RANA SHINES

And then the Indians produced a closed bowling performance to box West Indies for 162 in 40.3 overs.

Sneh Rana (3/22) and Meghna Singh (2/27) shared five wickets for India, while other three bowlers including veteran Jhulan Goswami (1/43) also conceded a wicket each.

Deandra Dottin (62) had the highest score for West Indies, while her opening partner Hayley Matthews hit a quick 43 as the duo stood for the opening wicket for a century.

But once they left, the West Indies innings just fell apart.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP, IND vs. WI SHORT RESULTS

India 317/8 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 123, Harmanpreet Kaur 109′ Anisa Mohammed 2/50). West Indies 162 – all out in 40.3 overs (Deandra Dottin 62; Sneh Rana 3/21, Meghna 2/22) with 155 runs in Hamilton.

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