Bowlers need to execute plans better going forward: Mandhana

India Women suffered a humiliating defeat in the second T20I against West Indies Women at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on December 17 (Tuesday), and stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana made it clear that the bowling unit will have to step up in the series-decider. 

Mandhana’s 41-ball 62 and Richa Ghosh’s 17-ball 32 propelled the Women in Blue to 159/9, but the visitors ended up chasing it down without any sweat. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews remained unbeaten on 85 off 47, slamming 17 fours, while her opening partner Qiana Joseph smoked 38 off 22 deliveries. 

The Women in Maroon ended up chasing down the total in just 15.4 overs with nine wickets to spare. The likes of Titas Sadhu, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor, Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav were all taken to the cleaners, with Sajeevan Sajana (0/17 in 2.4 overs) being the only India bowler with an economy of less than 8.7.

“T20 cricket is like that. I think conditions changed, but we couldn't execute our plans. There was moisture, but we couldn't do better. As a bowling unit, we need to execute our plans better going forward. There was a lot of dew, but we can't complain. We need to come back stronger in the next game,” said Mandhana after West Indies’ series-levelling win.

West Indies could only manage 146 in response to India’s 195 in the first T20I but didn’t repeat the same mistakes in the second encounter. Matthews said her team did well to control the game from the start. “We didn't do well in the last game, so we had to come better in this game," she said. 

“Really showed them the way tonight. We had this game under control and finished it off well. We kept them under control. Happy with the total they got in the end.”

It was Deandra Dottin who starred with the ball in the first innings. The seamer got the opening wicket of Uma Chetry and then returned to get rid of dangerous Ghosh. Dottin eventually finished with figures of 2/14 in four overs and also took a blinder in the final over of the innings.

“Feels really good, we did stick to the basics. Felt really good after this performance to come good around in the series. We had the determination and we wanted more, we were hungry and positive. Sometimes you get the ball quickly, but catches win matches. You need to hold on to the catches. We assessed the pitch and had a couple of discussions after the last game,” she said.

The third and final T20I will be played at the same venue on December 19.

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