Richa Ghosh and Smriti Mandhana starred with the bat as India Women defeated West Indies by 60 runs in the third and final T20I on Thursday, clinching the three-match series 2-1.
Ghosh’s record-equalling half-century, coming off just 18 balls, and Mandhana’s composed 77 powered India to their highest-ever T20I total of 217/4.
Ghosh’s explosive 21-ball 54 (3x4, 5x6) matched the world record for the fastest fifty in women’s T20Is, a feat previously shared by New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield.
In response, the West Indies fell short despite a valiant 43 from Chinelle Henry, who hit four sixes and three fours off 16 balls. The visitors were restricted to 157/9 in their 20 overs, with India’s left-arm spinner Radha Yadav claiming four wickets for 29 runs.
The West Indies’ chase faltered early as they lost key players, including Qiana Joseph (11), Hayley Matthews (22), and Deandra Dottin (25), before Henry’s late fightback. India deployed six bowlers, and Radha was the pick, taking 4/29.
This victory marked India’s first T20I series win at home since October 2019. The two teams will now head to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series starting December 22 at the new Kotambi Stadium.
Earlier, Ghosh’s blazing half-century came after Mandhana’s consistent brilliance, as she became the year’s highest run-scorer in T20Is, with 763 runs from 23 matches.
Mandhana’s third consecutive half-century of the series and eighth of the year was key to India’s dominance, though she fell for 77 off 47 balls in the 15th over.
Despite a duck from Uma Chetry and a slow start from Rodrigues, India built a strong platform.
Rodrigues eventually made 39 off 28 balls, while Raghvi Bisht played an important cameo, scoring 31 not out from 22 balls, adding to India’s commanding total.
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