Fulmalli Anchors, Spinners Dominate As India Begin T20 World Cup Build-Up In Style

India kicked off their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in emphatic fashion by defeating West Indies by 26 runs in a warm-up encounter held in Cardiff on Monday.

Building on the confidence gained from their landmark ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title earlier this year, the Indian side excelled in both departments. They accumulated 179/8 in 20 overs before restricting the West Indies to 153/8.

Asked to bat first, India got off to a positive start. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 59 runs for the first wicket.

Mandhana played the leading role with a stylish 39 off 23 balls, finding the boundary eight times as India accelerated during the powerplay.

The innings encountered a brief setback when wickets fell in quick succession during the middle overs.

Bharti Fulmalli and Yastika Bhatia rebuilt the innings through a valuable 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bhatia contributed 36 from 26 deliveries before retiring out to allow other batters time at the crease.

Fulmalli anchored the latter stages superbly and remained unbeaten on 56 from just 40 balls, striking six fours and one six.

Among the West Indies bowlers, Afy Fletcher impressed the most with figures of 4/23 from her four-over spell.

West Indies began their chase cautiously, with Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle putting together a 63-run opening stand. Their measured approach left the required run rate steadily climbing.

Shreyanka Patil produced an outstanding spell of 4/36. Radha Yadav supported her with figures of 3/25. Together, they dismantled the batting line-up and triggered a middle-order collapse.

Dottin attempted to keep her side in contention with a determined 49 from 44 balls but fell just short of a fifty.

Aliyah Alleyne and Shawnisha Hector made a late effort to keep West Indies in the contest. The hosts never seriously threatened India’s target. The visitors eventually secured a comfortable win.

Brief Scores

India Women 179/8 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmalli 56*, Smriti Mandhana 39; Afy Fletcher 4/23) defeated West Indies Women 153/8 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 49, Shemaine Campbelle 25; Shreyanka Patil 4/36, Radha Yadav 3/25) by 26 runs.

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