Mithali and Veda help India cross the line against Wet Indies: Women’s Team India ODI skipper, Mithali Raj and Veda Krishnamurthi stitched together an unbroken partnership of 97* runs, the best for any wicket in the match, while playing against West Indies, in the first ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship 2014-16, at Gokaraju Liala Gangaaraju Andhra Cricket Association Cricket Ground, Mulapadu, Vijaywada.
Earlier, electing to bat, West Indies, led by Stafanie Taylor, managed to put up only 131 runs in 41.4 overs. Opener Hayley Mathews (24), Taylor (19) and wicket-keeper Merissa Aguilleira (42) were the main contributors. They were also the only batters to register double-digit score. Extras (14) was the fourth main contributor.
The second wicket partnership of 37 runs between Mathews and Taylor was the best in their innings. Lower down the order, wicket-keeper Aguilliera fought a lone battle with very little support from the other end.
Indian left-arm spinners, Rajehwari Gayakwad and Ekta Bisht, literally ripped through the opposition batting, after the pacer Shikha Pandey removed Shaquana Quintyne (0) in the second delivery of the second over, with just 5 runs on the board.
Gaekwad and Bisht spun their way against the opposition batters and shared the spoils with the former claiming 4 wickets while 3 wickets went to the credit of Bisht.
At the end of the innings, Gaekwad finished with the analysis of 9.4-2-21-4, Bisht had the numbers of 8-3-14-3.
Team India also did not have a good start, losing opener Smriti Mandhana (7) with just 15 runs on the board.
Mithali and Veda came together with India scoring reading 36 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 16.3 overs and remained unbeaten till the end to ensure that the team crossed the line.
Facing 91 deliveries, Raj notched up an unbeaten 46* runs with the help of 6 hits to the fence while Veda contributed an unbeaten 52* runs studded with 4 fours and 2 sixes, facing 70 deliveries.
India chased the target and put up 133 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 39.1 overs, winning the game by 6 wickets, with 65 deliveries to spare.
West Indies used as many as 7 bowlers but could not prevent India from winning the encounter.
