Deepti Sharma's All-Round Brilliance Powers India to a 3-0 Sweep Over West Indies
India completed a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep over West Indies in Vadodara, securing a dominant five-wicket victory in the third and final ODI on Friday, December 27. Deepti Sharma was the star of the show with an outstanding all-round performance, picking up career-best figures of 6 for 31 with the ball and contributing 39* with the bat. Renuka Thakur's key spell of 4 for 29 also played a crucial role in the victory.
West Indies' Early Collapse:
West Indies were put under pressure right from the start when India’s opening bowler, Renuka Thakur, made early breakthroughs. Thakur struck with twin wickets in her first over, sending back both openers without scoring: Qiana Joseph gloved the very first delivery to the keeper, and West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was bowled out by Thakur at the end of the same over. The pressure continued as Deandra Dottin, who had been struggling throughout the series, was dismissed for just 5, leaving West Indies reeling at 9 for 3 in just 5 overs.
However, Chinelle Henry (61) and Shemaine Campbelle (46) forged a steady 91-run partnership to revive their team’s fortunes. They batted cautiously at first but began to open up, taking on India’s two inexperienced spinners, Priya Mishra and debutant Tanuja Kanwar. Deepti Sharma was also briefly taken on by the pair but eventually made the breakthrough when Campbelle tried to slog a slower delivery and was caught at long-on.
After Campbelle’s departure, Zaida James was dismissed cheaply, and West Indies' lower order struggled to keep up the resistance. Aaliyah Alleyne offered some fight, and Henry reached her fifty off 62 balls by the 28th over, but India soon capitalized on another collapse. From a strong position at 141/5, West Indies lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs. Deepti was the main architect of this collapse, claiming four wickets in quick succession, including her third career fifer when she dismissed Afy Fletcher in a wicket-maiden 36th over. Deepti's sixth wicket came in the next over, and Renuka Thakur cleaned up Mandy Mangru to wrap up the West Indies innings for just 162 runs in 38.5 overs.
India's Chase:
India’s chase of 163 was not without its challenges. West Indies bowlers, especially Deandra Dottin, were sharp with the new ball. Dottin bowled 17 dot balls in her first three overs, and Smriti Mandhana could only score a single boundary in the early exchanges. West Indies made early inroads as India lost Mandhana (4) to Aaliyah Alleyne, followed by Harleen Deol (5) falling to Dottin. India was suddenly at 20 for 2.
However, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur (32) stepped up with an aggressive counterattack, hitting three boundaries off Dottin to take India past the 50-run mark in the 9th over. Harmanpreet's breezy knock was cut short when she was dismissed in quick succession, leaving India at 73 for 4 and still needing 90 runs for victory.
This is when Deepti Sharma (39*) joined Jemimah Rodrigues (29), and the duo steadied the innings with a composed 56-run partnership. They played intelligently, rotating the strike and picking boundaries at crucial moments to keep the scoreboard ticking. Rodrigues, however, fell to a sweep shot off Karishma Ramharack in the 23rd over, leaving India at 129/5.
With India still needing 34 runs, Richa Ghosh (23*) provided the final flourish. She played her natural attacking game, slogsweeping Hayley Matthews for a maximum and adding some quick boundaries. Her blistering 11-ball 23 not out took India to the target with ease, as they reached 167/5 in 28.2 overs and won by 5 wickets.
Key Performers:
- Deepti Sharma: 6/31 with the ball, 39* with the bat (Match-winning performance)
- Renuka Thakur: 4/29 (Played a pivotal role in breaking West Indies' top order)
- Chinelle Henry: 61 (Fought valiantly with the bat, top-scoring for West Indies)
- Richa Ghosh: 23* off 11 balls (Guided India to the finish line)
Brief Scores:
- West Indies: 162 all out in 38.5 overs (Chinelle Henry 61, Shemaine Campbelle 46; Deepti Sharma 6-31, Renuka Thakur 4-29)
- India: 167/5 in 28.2 overs (Deepti Sharma 39*, Harmanpreet Kaur 32, Richa Ghosh 23*)India won by 5 wickets and completed a 3-0 series sweep.
