India Completes 3-0 ODI Series Sweep Against West Indies with Five-Wicket Victory in Final Match

The West Indies women’s cricket team faced a five-wicket defeat against India in the final ODI of their three-match series, concluding their tour on a disappointing note. Despite the loss, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews emphasized the fighting spirit displayed by her team, particularly in the latter stages of the game, as a key positive takeaway. While acknowledging the shortcomings in their batting performance, Matthews praised the team’s resilience and determination to compete until the very end. She highlighted the importance of such an attitude, regardless of the situation, as a crucial element for future growth and success.

The match saw India’s Deepti Sharma deliver a Player-of-the-Match performance, claiming six wickets for 31 runs, her second five-wicket haul in ODIs. Coupled with Renuka Singh’s four wickets, the Indian bowling attack effectively dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 162 runs. Chinelle Henry, playing her first match of the series, top-scored for the West Indies with a well-fought 61, while Shemaine Campbelle contributed a valuable 46. Their 97-run partnership provided a glimmer of hope for the West Indies, momentarily reviving their innings after a disastrous start.

Matthews admitted that their batting performance fell short of expectations, acknowledging the need for better adjustments to the turning wicket. While the surface proved challenging throughout the match, it became increasingly difficult to bat on as the game progressed. The West Indies struggled to adapt to these changing conditions, resulting in a subpar total. Despite recognizing the need for improvement, Matthews focused on the positives gained from the tour, including valuable insights into the team’s depth and individual milestones achieved by several players.

The West Indies innings began with a stumble, losing their first two wickets cheaply within the first over. Qiana Joseph edged the very first ball to the wicketkeeper, while captain Hayley Matthews fell victim to a sharp inswinger, departing for a duck. Deandra Dottin’s brief stay at the crease ended with another dismissal, leaving the West Indies reeling at nine for three. However, the partnership between Henry and Campbelle steadied the ship, offering a period of resurgence. Their combined efforts brought the West Indies back into contention, raising hopes of a competitive total.

Despite the promising partnership, the West Indies innings faltered after Campbelle’s dismissal. Zaida James was quickly removed, leaving the team vulnerable once again. Although Henry reached her half-century, the subsequent wickets fell rapidly, resulting in a collapse in the lower order. Sharma’s exceptional bowling performance, complemented by Singh’s consistent wicket-taking, proved too much for the West Indies to handle. The final five wickets tumbled for a mere 21 runs, highlighting the dominance of the Indian bowling attack.

In their chase, India encountered a few early setbacks, losing Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur relatively cheaply. However, Deepti Sharma, demonstrating her all-round capabilities, played a crucial role with the bat as well. She formed a vital partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, stabilizing the innings and guiding India towards victory. Sharma remained unbeaten on 39, ensuring a comfortable win for the hosts and completing a series sweep. Richa Ghosh also contributed significantly, adding an unbeaten 23 in the final partnership, which sealed the match for India.