The Indian women's cricket team carved out its place in history by clinching their first home T20I series win in five years, asserting dominance over the West Indies with a 2-1 series victory. The deciding third match took place on December 19, 2024, at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, where India showcased remarkable batting and bowling skills to overpower the visitors.
India's stunning performance was highlighted by the team posting their highest total ever—217 runs for four wickets—during women's T20I matches. This impressive feat was propelled by captain Smriti Mandhana's blistering innings of 77 runs off 47 balls and Richa Ghosh's explosive 54 runs off just 21 deliveries. Ghosh's remarkable strike rate not only earned her the Player of the Match award but also matched the record for the fastest fifty, achieved within just 21 balls, alongside renowned players Sophie Devine and Phoebe Litchfield.
Despite West Indies winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, India's innings were strong and well-structured. After losing Uma Chetry for a duck on just the second ball, Mandhana rallied the team alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, who contributed 39 runs, forming a 98-run partnership for the second wicket. Their collective efforts laid down the foundation for Ghosh to accelerate the innings, who later dazzled the audience with her fast-paced onslaught, hitting multiple sixes and boundaries.
West Indies, known for their power-hitting, faced immense pressure under the weight of India's monumental target. Their innings concluded at 157 runs, well short of the required total, thanks to India's disciplined bowling performance led by Radha Yadav. Yadav accomplished impressive figures, taking four wickets for just 29 runs. She took key wickets, including those of Hayley Matthews, who scored 22 runs, and Deandra Dottin, who managed 25 runs but could not ignite the explosive batting expected from the West Indies lineup.
The match unfolded with several tight moments; West Indies seemed poised at times but could never find the momentum needed to threaten India's score. The Indian bowlers showed excellent control, especially during the middle overs, effectively breaking partnerships and taking wickets at regular intervals, making it difficult for the West Indies to gain any foothold.
After the match, during the presentation ceremony, Richa Ghosh was awarded Player of the Match for her sensational knock. Alongside her, Smriti Mandhana was honored as Player of the Series for amassing 193 runs throughout the series, making her the leading run-scorer for the Indian women’s team. Mandhana's efforts marked her as the first Indian woman to achieve this feat across a bilateral T20I series, underlining the significance of her contributions to the team.
Mentioning the series victory, Smriti stated, "This win means everything to us. We have worked hard to get to this point, and to achieve this at home makes it even more special. We appreciate the support of our fans and are thrilled to celebrate this moment with them!" This sentiment encapsulated the team’s joy and relief following the turbulent series, which saw them face challenges, particularly after losing the second T20I to West Indies by four wickets—a defeat they had to overcome to achieve this series win.
Looking forward, the Indian women's national team will turn their focus to the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, scheduled for December 22, 24, and 27, 2024, also to be played at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. This series transition offers the team opportunities to build upon their recent successes and capitalize on the momentum gained through their T20I victory.
This historic win not only highlights the talent present within the Indian women's cricket squad but also sets the stage for greater support, visibility, and investment in women's sports across India. With performances like these, the women's cricket team aims to inspire the next generation of cricketers and excitingly reinforce their position on the world stage.
