Defeat West Indies by 60 runs in the final match

With the series tied 1-1, India produced their ‘A’ game to outclass West Indies by 60 runs in the final Women’s T20I after setting a record score of 217 for 4 (previous highest was 201 for 5 against UAE earlier this year in the Asia Cup) at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai on Thursday night. In the process the Smriti Mandhana led side also won its first T20I series win at home in five years (since October 2019) much to the delight of a record 47,000 plus vociferous home supporters who had thronged the venue to witness history in making.

Put in to bat first for the third time in the series, India riding on Smriti third fifty (30^th overall, to lead the tally of most fifty-plus scores in T20Is, ahead of Suzie Bates, who has 29 fifty-plus scores) of the series and a blistering half century by Richa Ghosh in the death overs amassed a formidable score, their highest in the 20-over format. The Indian opener Smriti was once an epitome of consistency and class while on crease and laid the foundation for the huge total after the loss of her partner Uma Chetry (0) in the second over itself. The south paw in the company of Jemimah Rodrigues played aggressively that ensured the host scored 61 in the powerplay itself. The duo continued to bat freely and added 98 off 55 balls for the second wicket, before Jemimah (39) was trapped leg before by Afy Fletcher (1/24) soon after the halfway mark.

New batter Raghvi Bist playing only her second along with Smriti (77) added 44 for the third wicket, before the latter was foxed by a slower ball by all-rounder Deandra Dottin (1/54) in the 15th over. Wicket keeper batter Richa (54) who came in next showcased her batting prowess in the slog overs with some massive hits all-round the wickets much to the delight of the huge crowd en-route to her fifty off just mere 18 balls, the joint quickest for India (Sophie Devine in 2015 against India and Pheobe Litchfield in 2023 against West Indies also scored 18-ball fifties) in the format and ensured India past the 200-run mark for the first time in the series.  Her dismissal in the penultimate ball of the innings by Aaliyah Alleyne (1/45) not before smashing three boundaries and five sixes in the end saw India put on a challenging target of 218 for the opposition with Raghvi remaining unbeaten on 31 off 22 balls.

Chasing West Indies struggled to find their footing as they lost their hard hitting opener Qiana Joseph (11) early to part time off-spinner Sajeevan Sajana (1/16). The dismissal of their key batters Hayley Matthews (22) and Deandra Dottin (25) cheaply in the mammoth run chase severely hampered the visitors’ hopes. Wickets fell at regular intervals post the dismissal of Chinelle Henry by Indian pacer Renuka Singh (1/16) whose 16-ball 43 included three fours and four sixes. With the score reading at 129 for 5 at this stage, left arm spinner Radha Yadav (4/29) soon stamped her class and claimed four crucial wickets in the death overs to derail the run chase. West Indies in the end managed to score 157/9 in the end against a well-disciplined Indian attack.

A disappointed Hayley Matthews, West Indies Captain said, “We had a tough night with the ball, honestly. On a wicket like this, you simply can't afford to miss your marks, and that's exactly what happened. Mandhana and Ghosh really took advantage - they batted exceptionally well. The energy levels weren't quite where we needed them to be early on, and once they got momentum, it was difficult to claw back. While our batting continues to show promise, our bowling discipline let us down tonight. Some players didn't meet expectations, but there are still positives we can build on looking forward. To witness such a huge crowd was really amazing, although they were supporting the opposition"

Richa Ghosh, Player of The Match said, "Smriti and Raghvi perfectly set the platform, but I just wanted to keep that momentum going. When I see deliveries in my zone, I back myself to clear the ropes, doesn't matter if it's ball one or the last ball, that's my natural game. I practice exactly like this in the nets - it's all about executing what I train for. Getting this opportunity felt great, and even better that I could deliver for the team when it mattered."

An elated Smriti Mandhana, India Captain and Player of the Series whose team took the lap of honour of the picturesque stadium post the match said, “Breaking our five-year home series drought feels special - it finally reflects the cricket we're capable of playing. With three young talents in our lineup, I knew I had to shoulder more responsibility. It wasn't just about timing the ball well, but about leading from the front, especially after losing every toss. Harman's absence in the middle order was significant - she's our backbone there. But I'm proud of how everyone stepped up. Raghvi showed such courage, hitting that six so early in her career - that's something special. And Richa, what a performer! She was incredible today, and took the game away completely. This win is about the entire team rising to the occasion."

Brief scores (3^rd Women ODI): India-  217/5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 77 (47b: 13x4s, 1x6), Richa Ghosh 54 (21b: 3x4s, 5x6s) Jemimah Rodrigues 39 (28b: 4x4s), Raghvi Bist 31 (22b: 2x4s, 1x6) ; Chinelle Henry 1/14, Afy Fletcher 1/24, Aaliyah Alleyne 1/45, Deandra Dottin 1/54) beat West Indies  - 157/9 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 43 (16b: 3x4s, 4x6s),Deandra Dottin 25 (17b: 4x4s), Hayley Matthews 22 (17b: 1x4, 1x6); Radha Yadav 4/29, Renuka Thakur Singh 1/16, Sajeevan Sajana 1/16, Deepti Sharma 1/31, Titas Sadhu 1/31) by 60 runs. Player of the Match: Richa Ghosh (India); Player of the Series: Smriti Mandhana (India).

Photo Cover: Opener Smriti Mandhana, wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh and left arm spinner Radha Yadav starred in India 60-run win over West Indies in the final Women’s T20I match (Photo courtesy BCCI)

Photo Above: Indian Women team led by Smriti Mandhana and coached by Amol Muzumdar along the the support staff pose for a group photo following their series win over West Indies (Photo by Ashok Dhamija)