T20 World Cup: Jemimah, Vastrakar star as India beat West Indies in warm-ups
India started off their warm-up fixtures with a dominating win over the West Indies by 20 runs. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side would have wanted to get the preparations in the best way possible and the team delivered just that. The ICC Academy Ground No. 2 in Dubai hosted that contest and saw the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues and Pooja Vastrakar stepping up in their respective roles. The 2016 T20 World Cup winners opted to bowl first. The opening pair of Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana could not make an impact as they managed the scores of 7 and 14 respectively.
Captain Harmananpreet Kaur herself departed for a score of just one, with West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews getting the better of her. However, the pair of Rodrigues and Yastika Bahatia shared a fifty-run partnership to steady the innings. Richa Ghosh was run-out at seven, followed by Jemimah who was dismissed in a similar fashion. Despite some hits by Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma, India managed 141 runs in the 20 overs quota.
India warms up well
India beat West Indies
The chase began with Vastrakar’s early strike to dismiss Qiana Joseph, who fell in the second over. Joseph tried to send the delivery over midwicket, but miscued it to the mid-on fielder, Harmanpreet, for a catch. Renuka was the next one to get the big wicket of West Indies captain Hayley Matthews for a duck, who picked a four-wicket haul in the first innings. Vastrakar’s early blows continued with Chedean Nation’s wicket. Chinelle Henry and Campbelle took a cautious approach as they stitched a 56-run stand. Asha Shobhana broke the partnership and a double wicket over by Deetpti Sharma ensured a win for India.
Despite Afy Fletcher and Henry’s resistance, the Indian bowlers ensured a 20-run win for India. Vastrakar was the pick among the bowlers with her figures of 3 for 20 in four overs.
Harmanpreet’s team remains a strong contender for the ultimate title as they start off on a positive note. India will next face South Africa in their next warm-up fixture on October 1 in Dubai.
