SYLHET, Bangladesh, (CMC) – West Indies Women forfeited the top position in Group B after suffering a crushing nine-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the Women’s World T20 Tournament at Sylhet Stadium here yesterday.A powerful half-century from Deandra Dottin attempted to salvage a crumbling innings as West Indies plunged to their first defeat in the tournament following a hat-trick of victories.
Stafanie Taylor tried to steady the innings as well with a knock of 17 and a half-century stand with Dottin but the Caribbean girls stumbled to 117 for 7 before the Indians cruised to the target on half-centuries from Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut.
The other double digit contributors for Windies were Stacy-Ann King’s 17 and Shemaine Campbelle’ 10 as seamer Harmanpreet Kaur with 2 for 12 was the pick of the bowlers.
A win meant West Indies would have finished top of the Group B table. However, they finished behind England on net run-rate, and will therefore face Group A finishers Australia in the first semifinal tomorrow.
West Indies were off to a scary start after losing opener Kycia Knight to the first ball of the match.
However, Taylor steadied the innings in a 61-run second-wicket partnership with Dottin who went on to score a 51-ball 57 as West Indies tried to recover from a wobbly 87 for three in the 15th over.
Dottin, who scored seven fours and two sixes, departed, leaving her side in shambles as the innings failed to pick up steam and four more wickets fell as Windies Women reached 117 for 7.
India coasted to the target easily almost without losing a wicket, spurred on by Raut’s 52-ball 56 while captain Mithali was unbeaten on 55 from 52 balls, as Shakera Selman picked up the lone Indian wicket to have fallen, that of Raut who was caught by Kyshona Knight.