T20 World Cup: Deepti Creates Record, India Cruise to Victory Over West Indies

The Indian team have won both their matches so far in the 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

(Photo: ICC)

Harmanpreet Kaur's Indian team eased to a six-wicket victory over West Indies at Newlands to make it two wins from two in Group 2 of the ongoing 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Kaur and Richa Ghosh combined for a decisive partnership worth 73 runs to put India within touching distance of victory, while spinner Deepti Sharma made history in the game by taking 3/15 to become the first Indian woman to reach 100 wickets in T20 internationals.

Deepti Sharma of India was named Player of the Match following the ICC Women's T20 World Cup group B match between West Indies and India at Newlands Stadium on February 15, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa

On a tough afternoon for West Indies, they suffered both a defeat and potentially the loss of two key players, with Stafanie Taylor taken from the field on a stretcher and captain Hayley Matthews also appearing to pick up an injury.

A lightning-fast start, inspired by the aggression of Shafali Verma, saw India rack up 41/2 in the Powerplay, putting them in control of a chase of 119.

Smriti Mandhana was the first wicket to fall, stumped off the bowling of Karishma Ramharack, and Jemimah Rodrigues joined her back in the pavilion after being sharply caught and bowled by Hayley Matthews

Verma's onslaught came to an abrupt end when she was caught for 28 from 23 balls, leaving captain Kaur and Ghosh out in the middle with work still to do. And the game was paused for a lengthy and concerning treatment for West Indies veteran Stafanie Taylor, who appeared to suffer a recurrence of a back injury in the field.

A classy partnership between Kaur (33 from 42) and Ghosh (44* from 32) helped India ease to victory with time to spare, and West Indies suffered another blow late in the match when captain Matthews also appeared to pick up an injury - leaving West Indies facing the prospect of playing their remaining Group 2 matches without both of their star openers.

Earlier, India's bowling attack, inspired by the record-making Sharma, curtailed West Indies after a strong second-wicket partnership had threatened to set up a big first-innings score at Newlands.

Deepti Sharma became the first India bowler to 100 T20I wickets, thanks to her incredible spell of 3/15 against West Indies.