NAVI MUMBAI, India – Captain Hayley Matthews delivered a scintillating performance with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 85 to guide the West Indies to a commanding nine-wicket victory over India in the second T20I on Tuesday.
The emphatic win, achieved with 26 balls to spare, leveled the series at 1-1 and ended the West Indies’ frustrating nine-game losing streak against the hosts.
India’s innings, after being sent in to bat, began with early setbacks as opener Uma Chetry fell cheaply for four. Jemimah Rodrigues, the architect of India’s triumph in the first match, labored through a scratchy innings before being trapped leg-before by Matthews for 13 in the final over of the powerplay.
The hosts’ troubles deepened when debutant Raghvi Bist departed for five, leaving India reeling at 48 for three by the ninth over. Smriti Mandhana rose to the occasion, anchoring the innings with a fluent 62 off 41 balls, embellished with nine boundaries and a towering six. Her resilience, coupled with a 56-run partnership with Deepti Sharma (17), offered India a glimmer of hope.
However, the West Indies’ disciplined bowling attack, led by Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Matthews, and Afy Fletcher—who claimed two wickets each—stymied India’s momentum in the death overs. Despite a late burst of boundaries from wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, who contributed a quickfire 32 from 17 deliveries, India managed only 159 for six, a total that fell short on a placid pitch.
Matthews and Joseph dominate in record chase
The West Indies’ reply was nothing short of explosive. Opener Qiana Joseph set the tone in the second over, smashing three fours and a six off Titas Sadhu. Matthews soon joined the assault, taking Renuka Thakur apart in the following over. The pair blitzed their way to 65 runs during the powerplay, effectively dismantling India’s bowling attack and seizing control of the match.
Although Joseph fell after a fiery 38 off 21 balls, Matthews continued her assault with vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle providing steady support. Campbelle, who contributed an unbeaten 29, hit three consecutive boundaries off Sadhu to ensure the West Indies stayed on course.
By the halfway stage, the visitors had amassed 94 runs, leaving India with little hope of a comeback. Matthews brought up her half-century in spectacular style, slamming four consecutive boundaries off Radha Yadav before wrapping up the match with another flurry of boundaries against Saima Thakor.
Matthews’ unbeaten 85, a masterpiece of power and precision, sealed the win in the 16th over and provided the West Indies with a much-needed morale boost. The decisive victory not only leveled the series but also set the stage for an exhilarating final match on Thursday, where both teams will battle for supremacy.
