SPORTS
In a thrilling finale, India defeated the West Indies by 60 runs in the third and final women’s T20I, clinching the series 2-1 and marking their first T20I series victory at home since October 2019. The stars of the match were Richa Ghosh and Smriti Mandhana, who took India to a monumental 217/4, their highest-ever total in T20Is. Ghosh smashed a blistering 54 off just 21 balls, equaling the world record for the fastest fifty in women’s T20Is, shared by New Zealand ’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield. Her 18-ball half-century, studded with three boundaries and five towering sixes, was a spectacle. Mandhana, continuing her sublime form, played a graceful knock of 77 off 47 balls, laced with 13 fours and a six. With this innings, she became the leading run-scorer in T20Is this year, overtaking Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu with 763 runs in 23 matches. Mandhana also registered her third consecutive fifty of the series and eighth of the year, further cementing her status as one of the format’s finest. After a shaky start with opener Uma Chetry dismissed for a duck, Mandhana anchored the innings, forming a 98-run partnership off 55 balls with Jemimah Rodrigues, who contributed a brisk 39. Later, debutant Raghvi Bisht added an impressive 31 not out, supporting both Mandhana and Ghosh to build partnerships of 44 and 70 runs, respectively. India’s calculated aggression saw them scoring at nearly 10 runs an over, with Mandhana’s elegant stroke play and Ghosh’s power-hitting delighting a packed crowd of over 45,000. Chasing a daunting target of 218, the West Indies never found their footing. Early dismissals of key players like Hayley Matthews (22) and Deandra Dottin (25) derailed their chase. Chinelle Henry’s valiant 43 off 16 balls, featuring four sixes and three boundaries, was the lone bright spot in an otherwise lackluster batting effort. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav was the pick of India’s bowlers, claiming a four-wicket haul (4-0-29-4). Her precision and variations stifled the West Indies’ batting lineup, ensuring India’s commanding victory as the visitors managed only 157/9 in 20 overs. The win was not just about the series; it was a moment of milestones. Ghosh’s record-equalling fifty and Mandhana’s dominance with the bat underscored the growing depth and talent in Indian women’s cricket. Mandhana’s stunning pull shots and Ghosh’s audacious sixes captivated the crowd, showcasing the team’s blend of elegance and power. Looking ahead, the teams now shift to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series at the newly built Kotambi Stadium, starting December 22. With India riding high on confidence and fresh talent like Raghvi Bisht making an impact, the upcoming series promises more fireworks. None
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