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

India began their final leg of preparation for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in comprehensive fashion, beating the West Indies by 26 runs in Cardiff on Monday, June 08. In their first of the two warm-up games before the 12-team showpiece event, India rode on Bharti Fulmali's fifty and a four-wicket haul from Shreyanka Patil to down the West Indies.

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

The opening duo targeted the boundary ropes with immense fluency after a rain-delayed start, putting together a blistering 59-run stand within the powerplay. Shafali hammered five boundaries in her brief 13-ball cameo of 29, while stand-in skipper Mandhana elegantly pierced the gaps to stroke eight boundaries in a 23-ball 39. However, the dismissal of Mandhana by Aaliyah Alleyne sparked a minor collapse, with Shafali and Jemimah Rodrigues falling in quick succession to leave India stuttering at 85 for 3.

Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali steadied the ship beautifully with a composed 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Bhatia hit a confident 36 off 26 balls before the team management tactically retired her out to afford the lower order crucial game time. Whilst the middle order faltered, with Richa



Ghosh departing for a first-ball duck to veteran leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, Fulmali held the innings together. Grabbing her opportunity in the playing XI, Fulmali top-scored with an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls, laced with six fours and a lone six, driving India to a commanding 179 for eight. Fletcher was the standout bowler for the West Indies, returning brilliant figures of four for 23.

India, however, managed just 34 runs in the last five overs, failing to get a good finishing kick.

In reply, the West Indies launched a spirited chase as the returning Deandra Dottin teamed up with Shemaine Campbelle to construct a solid foundation. The pair added 63 runs for the opening wicket before Campbelle retired out on 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 India's spin twins completely derailed the chase. Shreyanka Patil broke the game wide open in the 11th over, executing a double blow to dismiss Qiana Joseph and Jahzara Claxton. Radha Yadav then delivered the decisive blow by cleaning up Dottin just one run short of her half-century. The West Indies lower order disintegrated from 81 for 2 to 153 for 8 as Patil finished with exceptional figures of four for 36, while Yadav claimed three for 25.

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