India Women, led by Smriti Mandhana, end half a decade-long wait by registering their first bilateral T20I series win at home in the last five years. They do so by thrashing West Indies Women in the series decider by galloping 60 runs. In the process, India Women also complete their fourth T20I win against West Indies Women at home and 15th overall in 24 WT20Is.  

Prior to this series win, India's last series win at home came way back in October 2019 against South Africa Women. 

See also:  Major breakthrough for ICC as neutral venues to play host to all India-Pakistan matches till 2027

Mandhana's opens up on India's emphatic T20I series win

After receiving a brutal 9-wicket hammering in the second WT20I, the pressure was back on the Smriti Mandhana-led Indian side. With three consecutive series defeats against England, Australia, and South Africa in the past 12 months, the fourth white-ball home series defeat looked imminent.

But speaking at a press conference, the Indian skipper revealed that the team had a pep talk ahead of the third WT20I and sensed that they had the opportunity to win a T20I series at home after five long years.

“It’s been five years since we haven’t won a T20I series in India. That was the chat earlier in the day. We had the chance to do it after 5 years. Need to keep doing the right things now. With the kind of batting line-up, we have some new youngsters. So need to take responsibility. More than timing the ball, I try to put my head into playing according to the situation."

Mandhana was in dominant form with the bat in the series returning impressive scores of 64, 63, and 77. She played an instrumental role in steering India to a famous 2-1 win against West Indies thus putting an end to their bleak streak in this format at home. Her carnage with the bat followed by her tactical brilliance on the field saved the day for the home side in the do-or-die decider clash on Thursday. 

Mandhana lauds Richa Ghosh for her record-breaking blitzkreig

Both Mandhana and Richa were at their brutal best with the bat on the third and final WT20I. The duo launched a scathing assault on the Windies Women bowlers to power India to their highest-ever WT20I score of 217-4. Richa hammered a blistering 18-ball fifty and equaled the record for achieving the fastest WT20I fifty. In her short-lived entertaining knock, Richa only lasted 21 balls but went on to make a match-defining contribution of 54 runs with the help of three boundaries and five sixes.

Following the end of the match, the Indian skipper heaped endless praise on the youngster and lauded her for notching up a record-breaking performance at the DY Patil Stadium. Being conscious of the dew factor, Mandhana appreciated how her entire team worked collectively in all departments to negate that impending threat from dew.  

“Liked the way Richa Ghosh batted. The way the girls stepped up today, they played with a lot of intent. I wouldn’t have been able to that playing my second or third match."

India Women's next white-ball assignment against West Indies will commence with a three-match WODI series starting on December 22 at Vadodara. 

West Indies has been an arsenal that has produced some swashbuckling and power-hitters in the cricketing world. This statement can be applied to both the men's and women's sides. The Caribbean side has triumphed only once in the 2016 edition, where coincidentally, the Men's side got their second WT20 title, citing their double delight in the game's shortest format.

They are also one of the robust contenders for the tournament, and here's the announced squad of West Indies, its Probable XI & their top three players to check out for in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup.

Announced Women's West Indies 2024 T20 World Cup Full Squad: 

Hayley Matthews (Captain), Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton.

West Indies Probable XI: 

• Deandra Dottins
• Hayley Matthews (Captain)
• Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper)
• Stefanie Taylor
• Aaliyah Alleyne
• Chinelle Henry
• Afy Fletcher
• Zaida James
• Qiana Joseph
• Karishma Ramharack
• Shamilia Connell

Also Read: 2024 Women's T20 World Cup: England Women's Team squad, Probable XI & Top 3 players to check out

Top 3 players to check out from West Indies in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup:

Hayley Matthews

Hayley Matthews is one of the reliable run-getters for the Women Carribean side. Prominent for her aggressive and swashbuckling batting display, Matthews has been a regular contributor to the sport, whether on the National side or in franchise-based leagues.

She can also be instrumental in providing crucial wickets for her side. Not to forget that she was a part of the 2016 Women's T20 World Cup champions side, where she did the talking with the bat. In her T20I stint, she has made 2339 runs and scalped 99 wickets in 96 matches.

Aaliyah Alleyne

Aaliyah Alleyne's medium-pace ability will do the talking in the upcoming international tournament for West Indies. Her recent performance in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) has made her the talking point for the forthcoming game.

For Barbados Royals, she has taken nine wickets in five matches at a commendable economy of six. In her short T20I stint, she has scalped 15 wickets and made 307 runs in 42 games.

Deandra Dottin

Another batter to check out from the Caribbean side would be Deandra Dottin. With the Caribbean side known for producing power hitters from both men's & women's squads, Dottin will help give an attacking start to their West Indies side, especially regarding the short white-ball format. In the recent WCPL edition, she was one of the top run-scorers for the Trinbago Knight Riders, scoring 119 runs in five matches with an average of 24.

In addition, she happens to be the first batter to score a century in an ICC Women's T20 World Cup tournament match in 2010 against South Africa. In her long-time T20I stint, she has made over 2700 runs and scalped 62 wickets in 127 games. 

PAK-W vs WI-W, 16th Match Preview

Pakistan Women and West Indies Women go head to head in Paarl on Sunday afternoon in Match 16 of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan Women recorded a fine win over Ireland Women but were over reliant on the runs of Muneeba Ali. They will be high on confidence but will need to replicate that performance if they are to make it two wins from two. West Indies Women have been struggling with their self-belief, particularly in the batting department. However, Hayley Matthews is a very consistent player who could well win this game on her own again.

PAK-W vs WI-W, 16th Match Details

Pakistan-W vs West indies-W – 16th Match

Venue: Boland Park – Paarl

Date & Time: 19th February 2023 at 06:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network

PAK-W vs WI-W, 16th Match Pitch Report

Spinners have had plenty of success at this venue across the recent SA20 and in this tournament. We expect turn and bounce for the spin bowlers again with a par score of 150.

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update

Also Read:MUL vs PES Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Updates For 5th Match

PAK-W vs WI-W, 16th Match Probable Playing XIs:

Pakistan-W Probable Playing XIs

Muneeba Ali (wk), Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof (c), Nida Dar, Ayesha Naseem, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Aiman Anwer, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

West indies-W Probable Playing XIs

Hayley Matthews (c), Rashada Williams, Shemaine Campbelle, Chenille Henry, Shabika Gajnabi, Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, Trishan Hooper, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell

Topmost Picks for PAK-W vs WI-W Dream11 Prediction, 16th Match:

Top Picks – Pakistan-W

• Muneeba Ali– the 25 year old took the Player of the Match Award on Wednesday after scoring 102 runs from 68 balls at the top of the order.

• Bismah Mahroof- the skipper failed to hit a boundary in the last game but made a very impressive 68 not out against India Women earlier in the tournament.

Top Picks – West indies-W

• Hayley Matthews- the skipper deserves to be playing for a team with a far stronger record. She took 2-18 before hitting eight fours and a six in her unbeaten innings against Ireland Women on Friday.

• Shamilia Connell- the 30 year old pace bowler dismissed two of Ireland Women’s top three which went a long way to keeping West Indies Women in the match.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for PAK-W vs WI-W Dream11 Team:

Muneeba Ali, Shemaine Campbelle, Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof, Hayley Matthews(C), Nida Dar(VC), Chenille Henry, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for PAK-W vs WI-W Dream11 Team:

Muneeba Ali(C), Rashada Williams, Shemaine Campbelle, Ayesha Naseem, Bismah Maroof(VC), Hayley Matthews, Nida Dar, Chenille Henry, Karishma Ramharack, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Hayley Matthews, Muneeba Ali

Vice-captain – Nida Dar, Bismah Maroof

Wicketkeeper – Muneeba Ali

PAK-W vs WI-W 16th Match Probable Winners:

This should be an exciting game with both sides still hoping to qualify for the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Both sides do not have a great deal of strength in depth but do have match-winners with both bat and ball. Matthews became only the third West Indies Women’s player to hit over 1500 WT20I runs with her match-winning knock on Friday. It is still an outside chance for Pakistan Women and West Indies Women so there should not be too much pressure and both teams should be able to play with a good deal of freedom. Considering the team combination, West indies-W is expected to win this match.

IND-W vs WI-W, 9th Match Preview

India Women and West Indies Women go head to head in Match 9 of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town on Monday afternoon. India Women beat Pakistan Women by seven wickets on Sunday with West Indies Women losing their opening match against England Women on Saturday. India Women have been one of the strongest sides in women’s cricket over recent years and bounced back from their defeat in the Tri-Nation Series Final with the win on Sunday. They will be very confident ahead of this clash.

IND-W vs WI-W, 9th Match Details

India-W vs West Indies-W – 9th Match

Venue: Newlands – Cape town

Date & Time: 15th February 2023 at 06:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network

IND-W vs WI-W, 9th Match Pitch Report

Spinners were the most successful bowlers on both sides at this venue on Sunday and we expect plenty of turn again with a par score of around 165. It will be partly cloudy with the humidity level above 65% throughout this game. The temperature will be in the low 20s although there is no danger of rain interrupting the match.

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update

Also Read: IND Test players have started preparing ahead of the match!

IND-W vs WI-W, 9th Match Probable Playing XIs:

India-W Probable Playing XIs

Yastika Bhatia, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh

West Indies-W Probable Playing XIs

Hayley Matthews (c), Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbell, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Zaida Hames, Shamilia Connell, Rashada Williams (wk), Shakera Selman

Topmost Picks for IND-W vs WI-W Dream11 Prediction, 9th Match:

Top Picks – India-W

• Jemimah Rodrigues- the 22 year old has now hit 10 half-centuries in WT20Is and 13 international half-centuries in total. She will be targeting her first international hundred in this match.

• Radha Yadav- the 22 year old spinner has been in excellent form since arriving in South Africa last month. Ahead of this match, she is yet to go wicketless in the country.

Top Picks – West Indies-W

• Hayley Matthews- the captain will have been disappointed to be dismissed eight runs from her eighth score of 50+ in WT20Is on Saturday.

• Chinelle Henry- the 27 year old pace bowler dismissed Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt, both of England Women’s openers in the last match.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for IND-W vs WI-W Dream11 Team:

Rashada Williams, Richa Ghosh, Shemaine Campbell, Shafali Verma(C), Jemimah Rodrigues(VC), Chinelle Henry, Pooja Vastrakar, Hayley Matthews, Deepti Sharma, Afy Fletcher, Radha Yadav

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for IND-W vs WI-W Dream11 Team:

Rashada Williams, Richa Ghosh, Shemaine Campbell, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Chinelle Henry, Hayley Matthews(VC), Deepti Sharma(C), Afy Fletcher, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma

Vice-captain – Hayley Matthews, Jemimah Rodrigues

Wicketkeeper – Richa Ghosh

IND-W vs WI-W 9th Match Probable Winners:

If West Indies Women’s top-order batters can get off to another strong start and build on it in this match then it will give their side a chance of causing an upset. However, India Women have power across their batting line-up and plenty of variety in their bowling unit. West Indies Women have struggled to compete with the best teams in all formats over the last 18 months and, player for player, they are certainly the weaker side ahead of this game. Considering the team combination, India-W is expected to win this match.