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The India women's cricket team secured a resounding victory in the third and final T20I against the West Indies, clinching the series 2-1. The match, played in Navi Mumbai, witnessed a dominant display of batting prowess from the Indian side, spearheaded by Smriti Mandhana's elegant 77 runs off 47 balls and Richa Ghosh's explosive 54 runs off a mere 21 balls. Mandhana's innings, her third consecutive half-century in the series, showcased her class and composure, providing a solid foundation for India's massive total of 217 runs. Ghosh's electrifying finish, punctuated by five sixes and three fours, added a thrilling dimension to the Indian innings, leaving the West Indies with a daunting target of 218 runs.
The Indian innings began with a familiar setback, as Uma Chetry once again fell cheaply in the first over. However, Mandhana's aggressive approach, coupled with Jemimah Rodrigues's fluent 39 runs off 28 balls, propelled India to a formidable 61 runs in the powerplay. The partnership between Mandhana and Rodrigues yielded a crucial 98 runs for the second wicket, capitalizing on the increasingly easy batting conditions due to heavy dew. Despite Rodrigues's dismissal after the drinks break, the momentum remained firmly with India. Young Raghvi Bist, with her unbeaten 31 runs off 22 balls, formed a valuable partnership with Mandhana, further solidifying India's position and setting the stage for a substantial total. While Mandhana missed out on a century, falling to a slower ball from Deandra Dottin, her contribution was undeniably crucial.
Richa Ghosh's whirlwind innings dominated the latter stages of India's innings, with her power hitting leaving the West Indies bowlers with little chance. Her 54 runs represented the joint quickest fifty for India in the T20 format, a testament to her explosive talent. Ghosh and Bist maintained a clever run rate, ensuring that India comfortably surpassed the 200-run mark, establishing a significant lead. In contrast, the West Indies' batting performance lacked the impetus and synergy displayed in the previous game. Their chase was hampered from the outset, with Qiana Joseph's dismissal after striking a six highlighting their struggles against India's bowling strategy. Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin, despite their individual efforts, failed to build a substantial partnership, further exacerbating the Windies' predicament.
The West Indies' chase faltered under the mounting pressure of the challenging target. While Chinelle Henry provided some late fireworks with a powerful cameo of 43 runs off 16 balls, it was ultimately too little, too late. The West Indies' innings lacked the sustained partnerships needed to mount a serious challenge, ultimately falling short by a significant 60 runs. India's improved fielding, in contrast to their performance in the second T20I, also contributed to their victory. The team displayed a marked improvement in catching, limiting the West Indies' opportunities. Moreover, their powerplay bowling was more effective, putting additional pressure on the West Indies batters. Radha Yadav's exceptional bowling figures of 4-29 were instrumental in restricting the West Indies' scoring. The entire Indian bowling unit delivered a stronger performance, ensuring that the West Indies remained under constant pressure throughout the innings. The comprehensive nature of India's victory underlined their dominance in the series and solidified their position as the deserving winners.