MUMBAI: India rode on opener Thirush Kamini Murugesan’s maiden century to thrash West Indies by 105 runs in their opening Group A match of the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Thursday.
Kamini scored 100 off 146 balls to become the first Indian eve to notch up a century in 50-over World Cup as the hosts piled up a commendable 284 for six after being sent into bat.
Defending the total, Nagarajan Niranjana (3-52), Jhulan Goswami (2-13) and left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana (2-38) starred with the ball to help India bundle out the Caribbean side for 179 runs with 5.3 overs to spare.
West Indies run chase never really got off as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Deandra Dottin then took the attack to the opposition with a 16-ball 39-run blitzkrieg which was studded with four sixes and three fours.
The 21-year-old West Indian clobbered Niranjana for two sixes and a four in the 19th over before the pacer took her revenge by trapping Dottin plumb in front of the wicket in the same over.
Kyshona Knight (11) was then bowled by Sultana in the next over as West Indies lost half of the side back with just 84 runs on the board.
West Indies skipper Merissa Aguilleira shared a 49-run stand for the sixth wicket with Shanel Daley before she was caught at covers by Indian skipper Mithali Raj off Nilanjana.
From there on, victory was just a formality for India and Goswami ensured a quick end to the match by picking up two wickets in the later stages of West Indies’ innings.
Earlier, Kamini etched her name record books and together with Poonam Raut (72) shared 175 runs for the opening wicket to lay the foundation for India’s total.
Before Kamini, the previous best by an Indian eve in a World Cup was by skipper Mithali Raj who socred 91 against the Netherlands in the 2005 edition, while this was the highest team total posted by the side.
India surpssed their previous highest score of 275 against the Netherlands in the 2000 World Cup in New Zealand.
Left-hander Kamini was finally run-out. She struck 11 fours and a six and batted till the 43rd over and spent 156 minutes at the crease.
Raut’s 72 runs came off 94 balls and she struck seven fours during her 144-minute stay at the crease.
India lost wickets towards the end trying to step up the ante. (PTI)
Brief scores:
India: 284-6, 50 overs (T Kamini 100, P Raut 72; D Dottin 3-32, S Daley 1-51)
West Indies: 179 all out, 44.3 overs (D Dottin 39, S Daley 28; N Niranjana 3-52, J Goswami 2-13, G Sultana 2-38)