IND W VS WI W 3RD T20I

Right then, that wraps up this contest and the series. Smriti Mandhana calls upon the designated T20I skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, to collect the trophy. Kaur then hands it over to the younger members of the team. A jubilant bunch of players pose for pictures with the trophy. The action now shifts to Vadodara for the three-match ODI series. Don’t forget to join us for the first ODI on Sunday, December 22nd, at the newly constructed Kotambi Stadium. The game will begin at 8 am GMT, but as always, tune in early for all the pre-match build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!

The stand-in skipper of India, Smriti Mandhana is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for her consistent run with the bat in this series. She says that the chat was that they have an opportunity to win a T20I series at home after 5 years and she is glad that they got the win. Mentions that with the younger faces in the batting unit, she had the added responsibility with the bat and feels that she bats better in such situations. Tells that due to the dew, it is not easy to defend totals at this venue and she is really happy with the way Richa Ghosh batted. Feels that everyone stepped up in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur.

Richa Ghosh is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her entertaining knock, notching up the joint-fastest T20I fifty in just 18 balls. She says that they got a good start and it was about keeping the momentum going. Mentions that she does not hold herself back when the ball is in the slot and approaches her batting in games the same way she does in practice sessions. Mentions that she always tries to contribute with the bat and with the gloves.

The captain of West Indies, Hayley Matthews says that they did not bowl the way they wanted to and on wickets such as these, the margin of error is small. Appreciates Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh for the way they batted. Mentions that they as a team, started the game with good energy. Tells that they did well with the bat in this series but could have done much better in the field.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Saima Thakor is in for a chat. She says that this is a good bunch to play with and she is happy that she executed well. Mentions that they had the belief that they would defend this target and did not think much about the dew. Adds that she has been practicing the back-of-the-hand slower deliveries and felt that it was required in these conditions. States that the dew was comparatively less in this game and it helped them.

India Women were much better with the ball compared to the last game. Radha Yadav led the way with four wickets while the rest of the attack played their part. Earlier in the game, India Women were asked to bat first and they posted their highest T20I score – 217/4 in 20 overs with attacking fifties from Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh while Jemimah Rodrigues and Raghvi Bist also played handy knocks. West Indies Women were taken to the cleaners with the ball but Afy Fletcher and Chinelle Henry were the stand-outs among them. India Women will take a lot of confidence from the series win going into the ODIs while the West Indies Women will hope for a better result in the 50-over format.

A clinical all-around effort from India Women has helped them beat the West Indies Women by 60 runs and secure the series 2-1, their first T20I series win at home in 5 years. Chasing a massive score of 218 for the win, the Windies lost Qiana Joseph early but Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin stuck impressive 20s before departing in the space of an over. Shemaine Campbelle swung her bat for a bit but it was the impressive knock of 43 off 16 balls from Chinelle Henry that kept the visitors in the hunt. Post the dismissal, West Indies Women could not put up much of a fight and fell way short.

Slower and fuller, on middle, Afy Fletcher turns it with a closed bat face to mid-wicket. Smiles and hugs in the Indian camp as they win by 60 runs and clinch the series.

Wide! Another one fired down leg by Deepti, Afy Fletcher misses the attempted flick again.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a length, Afy Fletcher fails to help it away.

Slower through the air, fuller as well, on off, Karishma Ramharack skips down the track and carves it over cover. The throw comes in at the bowling end. Deepti Sharma collects it and fires in a wayward throw at the batting end. Richa Ghosh flings herself to her right and gets a hand to it to make the stop.

Very full, on middle and leg, Afy Fletcher whips it to deep square leg and gets to the other end.

Short and outside off, Karishma Ramharack stays on the back foot and slaps it down the ground to long off for a run.

Flatter and at the stumps, Afy Fletcher swats it to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Fired on the pads, on a length, Afy Fletcher swipes across the line but misses and gets hit on the front pad. An optimistic shout for LBW gets turned down.

Full and around off, Afy Fletcher looks to drive it away on the off side. Gets an inside edge that rolls in front of mid-wicket for a run.