A dominant display of power hitting and clinical bowling propelled India Women to a convincing 60-run victory over West Indies in the third and final T20I at Navi Mumbai. This win sealed a 2-1 series triumph for India, marking their first home T20I series win since 2019. The match witnessed stellar performances from Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh, who lit up the stadium with their aggressive batting.
Match summary:
- India: 217/4 (20 overs)
- West Indies: 157/9 (20 overs)
India's batting fireworks:
Opting to bat first, India set the stage for a high-scoring encounter. Despite losing an early wicket, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the ship with a solid 98-run partnership. Mandhana continued her impressive form, notching her third consecutive fifty and finishing with a blistering 77 runs off 47 balls. However, it was Richa Ghosh who stole the show with a breathtaking knock. She equaled the record for the fastest fifty in women's T20Is, reaching the milestone in just 18 balls. Ghosh's explosive innings of 54 runs off 21 balls, studded with three fours and five sixes, propelled India to their highest-ever T20I total of 217/4.
India's bowling dominance:
Chasing a daunting target, West Indies struggled to keep pace. While Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin provided some resistance with scores of 22 and 25 respectively, the Indian bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game. Radha Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 wickets for 29 runs. Chinelle Henry's quickfire 43 runs provided a late surge for West Indies, but it was not enough to prevent India from securing a comfortable victory.
Key players for India:
- Smriti Mandhana: Her consistent run-scoring and aggressive approach at the top of the order provided the perfect foundation for India's innings.
- Richa Ghosh: Her record-equaling half-century and explosive hitting in the death overs were instrumental in India posting a massive total.
- Radha Yadav: Her four-wicket haul effectively stifled the West Indies' chase and ensured India's victory.
This series win is a significant achievement for India Women, demonstrating their growing strength and dominance in the T20 format. The emergence of young talents like Richa Ghosh, alongside the consistent performances of established players like Smriti Mandhana, bodes well for the future of Indian women's cricket. This victory will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they prepare for upcoming challenges and strive to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
