Indian Women’s players pose for photos with the championship trophy after winning an ODI series against West Indies Women, in Vadodara, on December 27, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI
On the eve of the final women’s ODI, India’s bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi referred to Deepti Sharma as a ‘modern-day legend’.
At the Kotambi Stadium on Friday, Deepti showed why she is rated highly in international cricket as her all-round performance — a six for 31, followed by an unbeaten 39 (48b, 3×4, 1×6) — guided India to a five-wicket win against West Indies and a 3-0 series sweep.
The visitor opted to bat and the decision backfired as Renuka Singh Thakur (four for 29) made the most of the hazy weather and removed Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin inside the first five overs. Reeling at nine for three, it seemed to be an uphill task for West Indies to recover. However, with Shemaine Campbelle (46, 62b) and Chinelle Henry (61, 72b) adding 97 runs for the fourth wicket, WI breached the 100-run mark.
Looking to be aggressive, Campbelle raced down the track, hoping to go over long-on, but was caught by Pratika Rawal on the fence as Deepti provided the Women in Blue with the much-needed breakthrough. Deepti then spun her web en route to her second six-wicket feat in the format as West Indies lost its last six wickets for just 62 runs and ended its innings at 162.
However, it wasn’t an easy chase for India as it lost Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol in quick succession. Youngster Pratika Rawal, too, failed to capitalise on a steady start, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur held her nerve and went on a counter-attacking mode as the host crawled back.
Though Afy Fletcher cleaned up Harmanpreet, India did not lose the plot as Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti came up with a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Jemimah relied on her natural game, while Deepti made the most of a reprieve to anchor the innings. By the time, Karishma Ramharrack ended Jemimah’s innings, India had inched closer to the finish line and Deepti stood firm and added 38 runs along with power-hitter Richa Ghosh.
As the crowd chanted her name, Richa flexed her muscles and sealed the deal with a couple of maximums.
The scores
West Indies 162 in 38.5 overs (Shemaine Campbelle 46, Chinelle Henry 61, Renuka Singh 4/29, Deepti Sharma 6/31) lost to India 167/5 in 28.2 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 32, Deepti 39 n.o.);
Toss: West Indies
PoM: Deepti
PoS: Renuka.
Published – December 27, 2024 01:07 pm IST
