Women’s World Cup T20: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma lead India to 95-run crushing win over Netherlands

India Women continued their impressive run in the T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 95-run victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday. India, powered by a dominant opening partnership of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, posted 209/5 – their highest total in Women’s T20 World Cup history – before the Dutch side were bowled out for 114 in 17.3 overs.Asked to bat first, India got off to a flying start thanks to Mandhan and Shafali. The pair put on 115 runs in just 70 balls, with Shafali taking charge of the powerplay and Mandhana accelerating after the restrictions on the pitch. Shafali made 55 off 38 balls to register her maiden fifty of the tournament, while Mandhana followed up her previous half-century with another classy 74 off 47 deliveries.While Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur could not add much after the openers’ departure, quick performances from Rich Ghosh (20 off 8) and Deepti Sharma (10 off 2) helped India finish.

Bowlers complete a one-sided win

The Netherlands never really threatened in the chase, despite some resistance from captain Babette de Leede, who scored 28 points, and Sterre Kalis, who chipped in 18. Once the duo departed, the innings quickly fell apart and India tightened the screws.Debutant pacer Nandani Sharma enjoyed a memorable outing as she claimed her first wicket in an ICC event by dismissing opener Heather Siegers. Deepti Sharma struck again early, while Shree Charani’s left-handed shot proved too difficult for the Dutch middle and lower order, even finding herself on a hat-trick at one stage.The only worry for India came when off-spinner Shreyanka Patil twisted her ankle while fielding and had to be stretchered off the ground after fielding a single ball.India made two changes to the side, bringing in Yastika Bhatia for Bharti Fulmali and giving Nandani Sharma a chance in place of Arundhati Reddy. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team will next face South Africa in Manchester on June 21.