RANGIORA (NEW ZEALAND), March 1: India will enter the ICC Women’s World Cup with their tails up after opener Smriti Mandhana’s 67-ball 66 and the bowlers’ disciplined show powered them to an 81-run win over West Indies in their final warm-up game here on Tuesday.
Kept under observation after taking a blow to her head during the team’s first practice match against South Africa on Sunday, the elegant Mandhana was in her element within two days from the injury, laying the foundation for India’s challenging total of 258 all out in the allotted 50 overs.
In reply, West Indies were stopped at 177 for nine at Rangiora Oval.
India, who will face arch-rivals Pakistan in their campaign opener on Sunday, beat South Africa by two runs in their first warm-up game.
Opting to bat, India were off to a poor start as Shafali Verma was bowled for a duck.
Deepti Sharma joined Mandhana in the middle and the two went about rebuilding the innings and added 117 runs for the second wicket.
Mandhana’s fine effort came barely two days after she was diagnosed with a mild soft tissue injury to her left earlobe which caused discomfort while batting against the South Africans, forcing her to leave the field retired hurt.
Skipper Mithali Raj contributed 30 off 42 balls with the help of four boundaries, while Yastika Bhatia chipped in with a useful 42 in 53 deliveries. (PTI)
Brief scores: India: 258 in 50 overs (Mandhana 66, Deepti 51) West Indies: 177/9 in 50 overs (S Campbelle 63, H Matthews 44; Pooja Vastrakar 3/21)
