India vs West Indies: Mandhana's form, Ghosh's finishing prowess

India secured their first home T20I series win in five years in women’s cricket with a dominant 60-run victory over the West Indies in Navi Mumbai on Thursday (December 19), powered by brilliant fifties from Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh.

Five years, five series and four defeats (they tied South Africa 1-1 in July 2024) later, after half a decade of waiting, India finally broke the jinx, clinching a T20I series at home for the first time since October 2019. A victory worth every ounce of their effort and resilience.

Mandhana: Magic and mayhem

Powered by Mandhana’s fifty, India built on a strong start and with Jemimah Rodrigues coming in at No. 3 - the duo built a crucial 50-run partnership in just 31 balls, ensuring momentum through the innings. Mandhana continued the aggression in the following match where the India stand-in captain played a resilient knock, scoring 50 off 37 balls anchoring the innings. The knock was a must watch however the West Indies won by nine wickets with 26 balls remaining.

In the final T20I, India smashed West Indies with Mandhana once again leading the charge with a 50 off just 27 balls. The southpaw eventually made 77 off 47 and amassed 193 runs in the series to win the player of the series award. No Indian has made these many runs in a three-match T20I series.

Versatile Jemimah

India trusted Rodrigues to take up various roles in the batting order and this time it was her turn to do so at No.3. And she delivered a flawless performance, showcasing her versatility and match-winning capabilities. Her scintillating knock of 73 runs off just 35 balls in the opening T20I came at a staggering strike rate of 208.57, featuring nine boundaries and two towering sixes. After missing out on the second match, Rodrigues was back to her ways in the final game to help the stage for Richa Ghosh.

Richa’s hitting prowess

The 21-year-old Richa Ghosh blazed her way to a thunderous 54 off just 21 balls, laced with three boundaries and five towering sixes in the final T20I to help India to their highest T20I total. Her explosive innings saw her equal the record for the fastest T20I fifty in women’s cricket off just 18 balls, a remarkable milestone shared with New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield.

Even in the second T20I, India reached a respectable total thanks to Ghosh’ 32 off 16 balls. Her ability to get going from the outset makes her an invaluable asset at five or six depending on the match situations. India would want this big hitter at the crease in the death overs every single time.

How’s India’s bowling?

Radha Yadav showcased her brilliance with the ball, claiming an impressive 4 for 29 in the decisive third T20I, dismantling the West Indies batting line-up. Titas Sadhu also made her mark, picking up 3/37 in the series opener, consistently applying pressure on the opposition. Despite not picking up many wickets, India’s strike bowler Renuka SIngh Thakur was economical.Even though Saima Thakor was impressive in patches, India might have to think about the combination of having these three pacers together in a T20I.

A fit Pooja Vastrakar and potential return of Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil could give this attack more versatility. But this question remains for the future as the focus shifts to the ODIs. 

West Indies' Heavy Reliance on Dottin and Matthews

Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews were the shining lights in contrasting outcomes for the West Indies women’s cricket team across the series, highlighting the team's heavy reliance on these star performers.

In the first match, Dottin’s explosive 50 off 26 balls, laced with four boundaries and three towering sixes, stood as a lone effort to challenge India’s dominance. Despite her spirited fight, the team faltered, unable to keep pace with the required run rate, they fell short by 49 runs. In the second game, Hayley Matthews led a commanding chase with her brilliant 85 not out off 47 balls, combining aggression with poise. Partnering with Quiana Joseph in a blistering opening stand, Matthews laid the foundation for a decisive nine-wicket victory.

However, when both Matthews and Dottin fail, West Indies don’t seem to have many answers in the shortest format of the game despite the emergence of the likes of Joseph. They seem to rely heavily on these two even while bowling and it’s something for Windies to ponder. 

The action now moves to Vadodara for the three-match ODI series for the first ODI on Sunday (December 22) at the newly constructed Kotambi Stadium.