India Women emerged victorious in the third and final T20 match against West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, with a commanding 48-run win. This triumph sealed the series 2-1, showcasing the team’s resilience under the leadership of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who stepped up in the absence of regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews chose to bowl first after winning the toss. India had a shaky start when Smriti Mandhana’s opening partner, Uma Chetry, departed for a duck. However, Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership, taking the score to 99 before Rodrigues fell for 39 off 28 balls.
The innings' turning point was the sensational knock by wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. She smashed the fastest fifty by an Indian woman in T20 cricket, reaching the milestone in just 18 balls. This feat equaled the world record held by Sophie Devine of New Zealand and Phoebe Litchfield of Australia.
Ghosh went on to score a quickfire 54 off 31 balls, while Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a captain’s knock of 77 off 47 balls. Contributions from Raghvi Anand Singh Bisht (31 runs) helped India post their highest-ever T20I total of 217/5.
Faced with a daunting target of 218, the West Indies team struggled early, losing opener Qiana Joseph for just 11 runs to Sajeevan Sajna. Despite a valiant 43 off 16 balls by Chinelle Henry, the rest of the batting lineup failed to withstand the Indian bowlers.
Off-spinner Radha Yadav was the standout performer with the ball, claiming four wickets for 29 runs. She was ably supported by Renuka Singh, Sajeevan Sajna, Titas Sadhu, and Deepti Sharma, who each contributed with a wicket, restricting the West Indies to 169/8 in their 20 overs.
Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her stellar 77-run innings. While India’s victory was comprehensive, their fielding, especially catching, and the performance of pacer Renuka Singh require improvement.
Following the T20 series victory, attention now turns to the three-match ODI series between India and West Indies, starting on December 22. The subsequent matches are scheduled for December 24 and 27 in Vadodara.
Conclusion
India Women's emphatic 48-run victory in the final T20 match against West Indies not only secured the series 2-1 but also highlighted the team’s growing strength and adaptability. Smriti Mandhana’s inspirational captaincy, combined with Richa Ghosh’s record-breaking performance and Radha Yadav’s exceptional bowling, showcased the depth of talent in the squad. While the team has areas to improve, such as fielding and pace bowling consistency, their overall performance was commendable.
As the focus shifts to the ODI series, India will look to carry forward this momentum and address the gaps in their game. With the team brimming with potential and confidence, the upcoming matches promise to be exciting for fans and a further test of India’s cricketing prowess.