NAVI MUMBAI, India – A mesmerizing display of batting brilliance from Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh propelled India to a resounding 60-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I, securing the series 2-1.
Playing on a pitch worn from previous matches, the Indian team exhibited dominance with both bat and ball, leaving the West Indies scrambling in a high-stakes decider.
Mandhana’s masterclass sets the stage
Smriti Mandhana delivered a breath-taking innings of 77 off just 47 balls, anchoring India’s mammoth total of 217 for four. Her exquisite strokeplay, combined with aggressive intent, set the tone early as India recovered from a rocky start after Uma Chetry fell for a duck in the opening over.
Mandhana’s partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues (39 off 28) flourished during the powerplay, accumulating 61 runs in just six overs. Their 98-run stand was a clinic in calculated aggression, as Rodrigues played a pivotal supporting role.
“Smriti’s knock was a masterclass,” praised teammate Raghvi Bist, who later contributed an unbeaten 31. “She made it look so effortless.”
Mandhana’s innings ended when she was outfoxed by a slower delivery from Deandra Dottin, but her impact was already indelible.
Richa Ghosh steals the show with record-breaking blitz
If Mandhana built the foundation, Richa Ghosh ensured India’s dominance with a devastating display of power hitting. The young right-hander equaled the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, blazing to the milestone in just 18 balls. Her jaw-dropping 54 off 21 deliveries, peppered with five sixes and three fours, left the West Indies bowlers shell-shocked.
“Richa was sensational,” said India’s skipper Smriti Mandhana post-match. “Her ability to take on any bowler makes her a game-changer for us.”
West Indies stumble under pressure
Chasing an imposing target of 218, the West Indies crumbled under the weight of the required run rate. Qiana Joseph showed promise with a six early in her innings but fell for 11, as India’s gamble to open with part-time spinner Sajeevan Sajana paid off handsomely.
Captain Hayley Matthews (22 off 17) and Deandra Dottin (25 off 17) attempted to steady the innings but failed to sustain the tempo necessary for such a daunting chase. Their dismissals all but sealed the fate of the match.
The brightest spark for the Windies came from Chinelle Henry, whose blistering 43 off 16 balls provided a brief moment of excitement. However, the lack of meaningful contributions from the rest of the line-up left the regional side well short of the target.
Radha Yadav and India’s bowling brilliance
India’s bowlers rose to the occasion to defend their towering total. Radha Yadav was the pick of the attack, claiming four wickets for 29 runs with her deceptive spin. Her strikes dismantled any hopes of a West Indies resurgence.
“Our bowlers executed the plans perfectly,” Mandhana remarked. “Radha was exceptional in breaking their momentum.”
With the T20I series wrapped up in emphatic fashion, India has momentum firmly on their side as they prepare for the upcoming ODI series. Meanwhile, the West Indies will need to regroup and address both their batting consistency and bowling discipline if they hope to mount a stronger challenge.
