MOHALI – Not even the support of a festive home crowd and conditions they thrive in could inspire India Women as they slumped to a three-run loss to West Indies Women, bringing the curtains down on their disappointing ICC World Twenty20 campaign.
Jhulan Goswami, who bowled all of two overs on a slow surface, kept India alive with a few lusty blows that brought the equation down to 20 off the last two overs.
Tension engulfed the PCA Stadium, and a crowd that was on tenterhooks roared in delight as the third ball of the penultimate over sailed over long-on to bring it down to 12 off nine balls.
But her run-out off the next delivery, once again, meant the pendulum swung West Indies’ way.
Deandra Dottin, who ensured West Indies were in with a chance by making 45 off 40 balls in the team’s total of 114 for eight, then showed immaculate death-bowling skills to leave India short-changed on 111 for nine.
Shikha Pandey, who carved a boundary over point to bring it down to five off three balls, was run-out off the next delivery to effectively dash India’s hopes.
India landed the early punches and weakened West Indies to 26 for 3 as the contest was reduced to a battle of spin attacks. The hosts then switched off for a bit, only to see Stafanie Taylor and Dottin regain lost ground, and then lift West Indies with a fourth-wicket partnership of 77 that gave the bowlers a handy total to defend. (ESPNCricinfo)
Summarised scores:
West Indies Women 114 for eight in 20 overs (Stafanie Taylor 47, Deandra Dottin 45; Harmanpreet Kaur 4-23, Anuja Patil 3-16). India 111 for nine in 20 overs (Anuja Patil 26, Jhulan Goswami 25, Smriti Mandhana 22, Veda Krishnamurthy 18; Deandra Dottin 3-16, Afy Fletcher 2-15). West Indies won by three runs.
