Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh Power India to Series Win Over West Indies
Smriti Mandhana dazzled with her third half-century of the series, scoring a classy 77 off 47 balls. At the same time, Richa Ghosh delivered a blistering 21-ball 54 as India defeated West Indies by 60 runs in the third T20I in Navi Mumbai. The emphatic win secured the series 2-1 for the hosts. On a pitch reused from the previous two games, India capitalized on Mandhana’s foundation and Ghosh’s late fireworks to post a towering total of 217, which proved far too steep for the visitors despite heavy dew.
India’s Batting: A Show of Dominance
India’s innings started shaky, as Uma Chetry fell cheaply in the first over. However, Mandhana wasted no time turning the tide, launching an aggressive counterattack during the PowerPlay, which yielded 61 runs. Partnered by Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored a fluent 39 off 28 balls, Mandhana stitched a 98-run partnership off just 55 deliveries.
The duo exploited the increasingly batter-friendly conditions, punishing some wayward West Indies bowling. Rodrigues fell immediately after the drinks break, but Mandhana found another capable partner in Raghvi Bist (31* off 22). Together, they added 44 more runs before Mandhana fell to a Deandra Dottin slower ball, cutting short her innings when she looked primed for a century, reports Live Cricket Score.
The dismissal did little to halt India’s momentum as Richa Ghosh took centre stage in the death overs. Mixing brute power with clever placement, Ghosh hammered five sixes and three fours to register her fifty in just 18 balls, equaling the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian. Best played the supporting role admirably, rotating the strike to ensure Ghosh faced the bulk of the deliveries. Their partnership propelled India past the 200-run mark, leaving the visitors with a mammoth target of 218.
West Indies Falter in the Chase
The West Indies needed a strong start to have hope, but India’s bowlers struck early. Sajeevan Sajana’s part-time off-spin with the new ball proved effective, dismissing Qiana Joseph after a brief six-hitting cameo. Hayley Matthews (22 off 17) and Dottin (25 off 17) tried to steady the innings but lacked the firepower to keep up with the climbing asking rate.
Both Matthews and Dottin fell quickly as scoreboard pressure mounted, effectively ending West Indies’ chances. While Chinelle Henry provided some entertainment with a powerful 43 off 16 balls, including three sixes and five fours, the lack of support from other batters meant the target was always out of reach.
Improved Indian Bowling and Fielding
India’s bowlers markedly improved from the second T20I, particularly in the PowerPlay. Radha Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4-29 with her clever variations in pace. The left-arm spinner was instrumental in stifling the West Indies middle order, ensuring the visitors never got back into the game.
Although India’s fielding remained inconsistent, they took most of the catches that came their way, helping to keep the West Indies in check. The scoreboard pressure from India’s massive total provided a cushion, allowing the bowlers to experiment and succeed.
Key Performers and Match Summary
Mandhana’s fluent knock at the top and Ghosh’s explosive finish were the standout performances, while Radha’s four-wicket haul ensured India’s dominance with the ball. Henry’s cameo was the only silver lining for West Indies in an otherwise underwhelming performance.
Brief Scores:
India: 217-5 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 77, Richa Ghosh 54*; Chinelle Henry 1-14)
West Indies: 157-9 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 43; Radha Yadav 4-29)
India won by 60 runs to clinch the series 2-1.
