Harmanpreet Kaur takes stunning catch in India's 1-run loss to West Indies women

Harmanpreet Kaur takes stunning catch in India's 1-run loss to West Indies women

India women vs West Indies women, 1st ODI: Harmanpreet Kaur was brilliant on the field but the star batsman failed with the bat as India fell short of a 226-run target by 2 runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.


HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Second-ranked India women lost the 1st ODI to West Indies on Friday 
  • Harmanpreet Kaur took a stunner to send back West Indies captain Taylor on 94 
  • India lost their last 8 wickets for just 55 runs in the 1st ODI
India's T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur is among the finest fielders in world cricket. Kaur, who is known for her safe pair of hands, came up with a stunning catch in India's ODI against West Indies women at North Sound, Antigua on Friday. 

Harmanrpreet Kaur took a one-handed stunner at the long-on boundary at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to dismiss West Indies captain Stafaine Taylor. Harmanpreet steadied herself at the boundary rope even as Taylor came up with a big swing of her bat in Ekta Bisht's over. 

While it looked like the ball would sail over the boundary ropes for a Taylor hundred, Harmanpreet came up with a big jump to snatch the ball with her non-throwing arm. The India star got herself into an awkward position but managed to hold on to the catch with one hand.

Barring flashes of brilliance on the field, there was disappointment for India in the 1st of a 3-match ODI series. India women were beaten by 1 run after they stumbled in chase of 226, finishing with 224 on the board at the end of 50 overs. Stafaine Taylor's 94 and Natasha McClean's fifty gave West Indies helped West Indies women post 225 for 7 in their quota of 50 overs. 

Shikha Pandey and Deepti Sharma shone with 2 wickets each but West Indies batters were able to stitch partnerships at regular intervals. 

In reply, India were given a fine start by Priya Punia and Jemimah Rodrigues as the duo added 78 for the opening stand. Punia carried on and made a well-paced 75.

India were cruising towards the target as they were 169 for 2 at point in time of the chase. However, the visitors suffered a collapse as they lost their last 8 wickets for just 55 runs.

Captain MIthali Raj failed to shine with the bat and Harmanpreet Kaur managed just 5 runs as India's middle-order problems persisted in the 1st ODI. 

Meanwhile, star opener Smriti Mandhana, who missed the 1st ODI, will join the team in West Indies on November 3. 

Mandhana has successfully recovered from a toe injury she suffered during a home series against South Africa. 

India women and West Indies women will meet in the 2nd ODI on Sunday and Smriti Mandhana will be available to play the 3rd and final ODI on Wednesday. 

The two teams will also play 5 T20Is as part of build-up to next year's T20 World Cup.