Womens T20 World Cup Warm Up India Beat West Indies By 26 Runs

Womens T20 World Cup Warm Up India Beat West Indies By 26 Runs

India began their preparations for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in impressive fashion with a comprehensive 26-run victory over West Indies in a warm-up match at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Powered by a brilliant unbeaten half-century from Bharti Fulmalli and a match-winning spin performance from Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav, the Women in Blue delivered a complete all-round display.

Fresh from their historic ICC Women's Cricket World Cup triumph earlier this year, India looked confident and well-balanced as they tested combinations ahead of the global tournament.

Short Scorecard Summary

India Women 179/8 in 20 Overs

• Bharti Fulmalli 56* (40)

• Smriti Mandhana 39 (39)

• Afy Fletcher 4/23

West Indies Women 153/8 in 20 Overs

• Deandra Dottin 49 (49)

• Shemaine Campbelle 25

• Shreyanka Patil 4/36

• Radha Yadav 3/25

Result: India Women won by 26 runs.

Fulmalli Anchors India's Strong Total

After being invited to bat first, India got off to a positive start through experienced openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. The duo added 59 runs and immediately put pressure on the West Indies bowling attack.

Mandhana played an elegant knock of 39 runs from 39 deliveries, striking eight boundaries and helping India race to 70/1 during the powerplay. However, the middle order experienced a brief collapse as India lost wickets in quick succession.

That was when Bharti Fulmalli stepped up with a mature and composed innings. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 56 from just 40 balls, striking six boundaries and one six. Her ability to rotate the strike and accelerate at the right moments proved crucial.

Yastika Bhatia also made a useful contribution with 26 runs before retiring out as part of India's strategy to provide batting opportunities across the squad. The pair added an important 60-run partnership that helped India regain momentum.

India eventually finished with a challenging total of 179/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

For West Indies, veteran spinner Afy Fletcher was the standout performer with the ball, claiming excellent figures of 4/23 from four overs.

Indian Spinners Take Control

Chasing 180 for victory, West Indies started cautiously. Experienced campaigners Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle put together a 63-run opening partnership and initially looked capable of building a strong platform.

However, India's spin attack quickly shifted the momentum.

Once Campbelle departed, the West Indies innings began to unravel. Shreyanka Patil produced a brilliant spell, finishing with 4/36 and consistently troubling the middle order with her variations and control.

Radha Yadav complemented her perfectly, claiming 3/25 and extracting significant turn from the Cardiff surface. Together, the duo accounted for seven wickets and completely halted the Caribbean batting charge.

Dottin fought hard with a determined 49 off 49 balls and narrowly missed a half-century. Despite late efforts from Aaliyah Alleyne and Shawnisha Hector, West Indies never managed to get close enough to threaten India's total.

The Caribbean side eventually finished on 153/8 from their 20 overs, falling 26 runs short.

Positive Signs Ahead Of The Tournament

The victory provided several encouraging signs for India. Bharti Fulmalli showcased her ability to anchor an innings under pressure, while the experienced Mandhana looked in good touch at the top of the order.

Most importantly, India's spin department appeared sharp and effective. The performances of Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav will give the team management confidence as conditions in England could increasingly assist slower bowlers during the tournament.

With both batting and bowling units contributing significantly, India will take plenty of confidence into their remaining warm-up fixtures.

The win marks a strong start to India's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 preparations and highlights the squad's growing depth ahead of the marquee tournament.