New Delhi, 27 December (Sports Desk)
Match Overview:
India Women defeated West Indies Women by five wickets in the third and final ODI to complete a dominant 3-0 series whitewash.
First Innings:
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews chose to bat first after winning the toss in the final match of the tour. However, her decision backfired as Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur struck twice in the very first over, dismissing both openers.
The visitors were further dismantled by all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who delivered a career-best performance with the ball, taking 6/31. Thakur also contributed significantly with figures of 4/29, as the duo shared all 10 wickets, bowling West Indies out for 162.
see this link also….Harleen Deol’s Maiden Century Seals Series Win for India Against West Indies
Thakur’s impeccable line and length demolished the top order, while Deepti’s clever variations in flight and pace outwitted the middle and lower order. Deepti’s six-wicket haul marked her third five-wicket ODI performance and her second six-wicket feat.
West Indies showed some resistance with a 97-run partnership between Chinelle Henry (61) and Shemaine Campbelle (46). Their efforts helped the team avoid an embarrassing collapse, as no other batter, apart from Aaliyah Alleyne (21), managed double digits.
Second Innings:
Chasing a modest target, India’s start was shaky. Smriti Mandhana departed early for an unusually slow 4 off 19 balls, and Harleen Deol, the previous match’s centurion, followed suit soon after.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (37) and Pratika Rawal tried to stabilize the innings with a crucial partnership, with Harmanpreet striking seven boundaries. However, the momentum shifted again when Hayley Matthews dismissed Rawal and a misjudged delivery from Afy Fletcher bowled Harmanpreet.
India’s savior was Jemimah Rodrigues, who combined with Deepti Sharma for a crucial 50-run partnership that stifled any hopes of a West Indies comeback. Though Jemimah was dismissed for 29, Richa Ghosh’s explosive 23* off just 11 balls sealed the win for India with five wickets in hand.
Special Tribute:
The Indian team wore black armbands during the match as a mark of respect for former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday.
Series Takeaways:
India Women dominated the series with consistent performances from their bowlers and key contributions from the batting lineup. Deepti Sharma’s all-around brilliance and Renuka Singh Thakur’s incisive bowling were standout highlights of the series.
