The Indian women’s cricket team completed a 5-0 series whitewash over the West Indies after half centuries from Veda Krishnamurthy and Jemimah Rodrigues, complemented by the bowlers’ clinical show, steered the side to a 61-run triumph in the fifth and final T20 International in Guyana.
Rodrigues (50) and Krishnamurthy (57 not out) shared 117 runs for the third wicket as India Women scored 134 for 3 after electing to bat.
Rodrigues needed 56 balls for her 50, which was studded with three boundaries, while Krishnamurthy’s unbeaten 57 came off 48 deliveries, which included four hits to the fence.
In the West Indies run chase, the Indian Women bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict the hosts to 73 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Opener Kyshona Knight was the top-scorer with 22 while Shemaine Campbelle remained not out on 19.
For India Women, off-spinner Anuja Patil grabbed two wickets for just three runs while Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar and Harleen Deol took a wicket each.
Jemimah, Rekha rise in rankings
Dubai: India’s Jemimah Rodrigues on Thursday jumped to the fourth position in the batting chart, while slow left-arm spinner Radha Yadav is placed second among bowlers in the latest ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings.
Besides Rodrigues, young Shafali Verma also made significant progress, after playing stellar roles in a stunning 5-0 series sweep.
Rodrigues moved up three places to fourth position and teen sensation Verma gained 57 slots to reach 30th position as India leapfrogged the West Indies to fourth position in the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings.
Another India batter to advance is Veda Krishnamurthy, who move from 61st to 49th.
There are now three Indian bowlers in the top five as left-arm spinner Radha Yadav has moved up from fifth to second spot.
Deepti Sharma, who took eight wickets in the series, has retained her fourth position while Poonam Yadav is fifth.