New Delhi: Jemimah Rodrigues delivered an impressive performance, scoring a stroke-filled 73 runs off 35 balls, as India triumphed over the West Indies by 49 runs in the first T20I at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday. After being invited to bat, India showcased a commanding batting display, with Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana (54) at the forefront of the innings.

Their partnership of 81 runs for the second wicket was instrumental in propelling India to a total of 195/4, marking their highest score in T20I history.

Seamer Titas Sadhu excelled with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs, as the Indian bowlers consistently broke through the West Indies batting lineup. Sadhu dismissed captain Hayley Matthews early in the innings, while opener Qiana Joseph (49 runs off 33 balls, including 5 fours and 3 sixes) provided a solid start before falling victim to a slower delivery from Sadhu, which she edged to mid-off.

Deandra Dottin (52 runs off 28 balls) injected much-needed momentum into the West Indies innings, maintaining the required run rate with her aggressive batting, which included four fours and three sixes. Despite being dropped twice, she failed to capitalize on her second chance, as she was caught by Radha Yadav at long-on off Sadhu's bowling, effectively ending the visitors' hopes of a successful chase.

The Indian bowlers maintained their pressure, taking regular wickets to dismantle the West Indies' lower middle order.

Spinners Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav each claimed two wickets, leading the West Indies to finish their innings at 146/7.

Earlier, Uma Chetry, who opened the batting alongside Mandhana, provided a brisk contribution before being dismissed, while Mandhana anchored the innings with a well-constructed fifty. Fresh off a century in the third ODI against Australia, Smriti Mandhana displayed her excellent form once again, scoring 54 runs off 33 balls (7 fours and 2 sixes).

However, it was Rodrigues who truly captivated the audience with her dynamic batting, achieving a strike rate of over 208, highlighted by nine fours and two sixes. The partnership between Mandhana and Rodrigues, which yielded 81 runs off just 44 balls, came to an end when Mandhana was dismissed by Karishma Ramharack, who was the standout bowler for the West Indies with figures of 2/18.

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