Cardiff, June 8: In a thrilling warm-up match ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, India secured a convincing 26-run victory against West Indies. The match took place at Sophia Gardens on Monday.
After losing the toss, the Indian team batted first, scoring 179 runs while losing 8 wickets in their allotted overs. The opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a solid start, putting together a partnership of 59 runs in just 5.2 overs.
Mandhana scored 39 runs off 23 balls, hitting 8 boundaries before returning to the pavilion. Shortly after, Verma (29) and Jemimah Rodrigues (7) were dismissed, leaving the team at 85 runs with three wickets down.
From this point, Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali formed a crucial partnership, adding 61 runs for the fourth wicket in 44 balls. Yastika contributed 36 runs from 26 balls, including 6 fours, while Bharti remained unbeaten with 56 runs off 40 balls, featuring 7 boundaries. For the West Indies, Afy Fletcher was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets, while Karishma Ramharack, Alia Eain, and Deandra Dottin each took one wicket.
In response, the West Indies managed to score only 153 runs, losing 8 wickets in their innings. The opening duo of Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle added 63 runs in 9 overs. Campbelle scored 25 runs off 22 balls before retiring out, while Dottin made 49 runs off 44 balls, including 8 fours.
Other contributors included Alia Eain with 13 runs, and both Janilia Glasgow and Shawnisha Hector scoring 19 runs each. For India, Shreyanka Patil was the star bowler, taking 4 wickets for 36 runs, while Radha Yadav claimed 3 wickets for just 25 runs. India’s next warm-up match is scheduled against the host England on June 10 at Derby County Ground.
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