Clinical India Women hammer Windies to seal WT20I series 2-1

Indian women’s blistering show with the bat was too much to take for the visiting West Indian side as they were hammered by 60 runs in the series decider on December 19 (Thursday). 

Hayley Matthews won the toss and had no qualms about choosing to bowl first on a track that was batting heaven in the second innings due to the heavy dew falling at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. 

However, Indian skipper Smriti Mandhana spoiled all her plans of putting India under pressure like the second game, and started smacking the ball left right centre from the third over. Mandhana just saw the first two overs off, but a merciless onslaught began in the powerplay right after that. She scored five boundaries and a six on six consecutive deliveries she faced from Chinelle Henry and Deandra Dottin in the third and fourth overs. 

Raghvi Bist (31 off 22) also showed immense confidence and didn’t let the run rate drop after Jemimah Rodrigues’ dismissal. Mandhana broke records for fun yet again, and her 77 off 47 gave Richa Ghosh a great base just to come and do her thing. 

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper batter from Siliguri did precisely that and smacked Dottin for a first ball six. She continued the same way throughout her innings, and she was dismissed after scoring the joint-fastest half-century in WT20Is, taking India to their highest-ever WT20I total (217/4) on the way. 

West Indian bowlers and their economy rates were through the roof, and even Karishma Ramharack, who’s a very miserly spinner, leaked runs at 14.66 per over. 

Qiana Joseph and Hayley Matthews began the Windies' chase on a high note yet again, but Sajana, bowling in the powerplay for a change, cleaned up the dangerous Joseph. Dottin and Matthews threatened to the take the chase ahead rapidly, but their partnership of 37 runs lasted only 20 balls. However, both were dismissed in the space of an over. 

Henry threatened to break Ghosh’s fastest half-century record but was dismissed for 43 off just 16 deliveries. No other batter was able to offer a challenge after that, and Radha Yadav bowled brilliantly for her 4/29. 

Ultimately, India won the game by 60 runs, sealing the series at 2-1. Mandhana was the Player of the Series, and Ghosh was the Player of the Match, as the Indian women lifted the trophy with exuberance.