Shreyaka takes 4 as India spin to win against West Indies in T20 World Cup warm-up

India began their final leg of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s World Cup T20 in comprehensive fashion, defeating the West Indies by 26 runs in Cardiff on Monday, June 8. In their first of two warm-up matches ahead of the 12-member exhibition event, India rode Bharti Fulmali’s fifty and Shreyanka Patil’s four-wicket haul from the West.

India tested their strength on the bench in the absence of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who was busy with the captains’ meeting in London and also rested Deepti Sharma for the clash. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, the openers, gave India a bright start after West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl in overcast conditions at the Sophia Gardens.

After a rain-delayed start, the opening duo targeted the boundary ropes with immense fluency and put together a roaring 59-run stand in the powerplay. Shafali smashed five boundaries in her brief 13-ball 29-ball cameo, while stand-in skipper Mandhana elegantly slotted through the gaps to hit eight boundaries in 39 balls. However, Mandhana Aaliyah Alleyne’s recall caused a minor meltdown, with Shafali and Jemimah 8 Rodriguter quickly leaving India.

Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali steadied the ship beautifully with a composed partnership of 60 runs for the fourth wicket. Bhatia made a confident 36 off 26 balls before being tactically dropped by the team management to allow herself crucial playing time in the lower order. As the middle order faltered and Richa Ghosh departed for a first-ball duck to veteran Afy Fletcher, Fulmali held the innings together. Fulmali seized her opportunity in the playing eleven and top scored with an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls, laced with six fours and a single six, to guide India to an impressive 179 for eight. Fletcher was an outstanding bowler for the West Indies, returning a brilliant four for 23.

However, India managed just 34 runs in the last five overs, unable to finish well.

SHREYANKA SEPTEMBER

In response, West Indies launched a spirited chase as returning Deandra Dottin combined with Shemaine Campbell to build a solid foundation. The pair added 63 runs for the opening wicket before Campbelle departed for 25. Dottin kept the Caribbean side firmly in the hunt, playing a robust knock of 49 off 44 balls that featured eight boundaries.

However, the introduction of Indian spin twins completely derailed the chase. Shreyanka Patil blew the game wide open in the 11th over, taking a double strike and dismissing Qiana Joseph and Jahzara Claxton. Radha Yadav then struck the decisive blow by cleaning up Dottin just one run shy of her half-century. The West Indies lower order crumbled from 81 for 2 to 153 for 8 as Patil finished with exceptional figures of four for 36 while Yadav took three for 25.

India will now face hosts England on Wednesday, June 10 in their final warm-up game before the World Cup opener against Pakistan on June 14.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

08 Jun 2026 20:10 IST