Harleen Deol’s maiden ODI century set up the platform for a massive total on the board before the Women in Blue sealed the game by 115 runs to clinch the ODI series with one game to go.
The home side made one change, debutant Tanuja Kanwer replacing Saima Thakor in the playing 11 for the 3rd and Final ODI of the series. The visitors, West Indies on the other hand made three changes, Chenille Henry replaced Nerissa Crafton, Mandy Mangru replaced wicket-keeper batter Rashada Williams, and Ashmini Munisar replaced Shamilia Connell in the side for the final ODI of the series at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
Chinelle Henry stands tall amidst Deepti Sharma’s show with the ball
West Indies got off to a horrible start, losing their top three, including the wickets of their skipper Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin inside the first five overs of the innings, after the visiting skipper won the toss and opted to bat first. Chenille Henry joined wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle at the crease and the duo took their side out of trouble with a much-needed 91-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side to the 100-run mark.
Deepti Sharma broke the partnership by removing the wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle (46 off 62 balls), falling four runs short of her well-deserved half-century to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for India. Zaida James soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 5th breakthrough for India. Aaliyah Alleyne (21 off 35 balls) joined Chinelle Henry at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 39-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take their side closer to the 150-run mark.
Deepti Sharma returned and cleaned up Chinelle Henry (61 off 72 balls) to provide the much-needed 6th breakthrough for the home side. The visitors, West Indies suffered a collapse as they lost their last four wickets for just 21 runs and as a result, were bundled out for 162 with 67 balls to spare. Chenille Henry, wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle and Aaliyah Alleyne accounted for a significant amount (79%) of the team’s total.
Deepti Sharma (10-3-31-6) became the bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in the ODI format for India. Renuka Singh (9.5-0-29-4), Tanuja Kanwer (9-0-44-0), and Titas Sadhu (7-1-28-0) were the star performers with the ball for India.
Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh guide India over the line to complete a clean sweep
Chasing a target of 163, India lost both their in-form batters Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol in quick succession. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur joined Pratika Rawal at the crease when the home side was in a position of bother at 23/2 in the 7th over of the run chase. The pair stitched a crucial 32-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark.
Skipper Hayley Matthews picked up the wicket of Pratika Rawal in the 10th over of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for West Indies. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a crucial cameo (32 off 22 balls) with the bat before getting cleaned up by Afy Fletcher in the 13th over of the run chase. Deepti Sharma joined Jemimah Rodrigues at the crease and the duo took their side closer to the target with a crucial 56-run partnership for the 5th wicket.
Karishma Ramharack picked up the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues (29 off 45 balls) to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side. Wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh (23* off 11 balls) joined Deepti Sharma (39* off 48 balls) at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with an unbeaten 38-run partnership for the 6th wicket to guide India over the line with five wickets in hand and 130 balls to spare.
Skipper Hayley Matthews (9-1-31-1), Deandra Dottin (5-2-27-1), Karishma Ramharack (5-0-29-1), Aaliyah Alleyne (4-0-28-1), and Afy Fletcher (4.2-0-42-1) picked up one wicket each with the ball for the West Indies.
Deepti Sharma was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational all-round performances. She returned with sensational match figures of 10-3-31-6, with the ball and stayed unbeaten on 39* (48 balls) with the bat. She played a pivotal role in helping her side get over the line to inflict a dominating whitewash over the West Indies.
Renuka Singh was awarded the Player of the Series for picking 10 wickets in three innings, including her maiden five-wicket haul with the ball for her side in the ODI series.
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