Star all-rounder Deepti Sharma produced a career-best performance with bowling figures of 6/31 to propel India to a resounding five-wicket win over West Indies in Vadodara on December 27 to complete 3-0 series whitewash.
India women whitewash West Indies with 5-wicket win in 3rd ODI
After restricting West Indies to a paltry total of 162 runs in 38.2 overs riding on Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh's superlative spells, India successfully chased down the target of 163 in 28.2 overs. Despite India's shaky start that saw them lose four wickets for 73 runs, India were back on their feet, thanks to Deepti Sharma's superb batting show as she shone with an unbeaten knock of 39 runs off 48 balls to help host get through the finishing line with an ease. Laiter, it was Richa Ghosh's blistering 23 runs off just 11 balls that sealed the victory for India.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the Indian innings after the early dismissals of Harleen Deol and Smriti Mandhana. Kaur scored a quickfire 32 runs off 22 balls, including seven boundaries, before being bowled by Afy Fletcher.
Mandhana's dismissal came early in the innings when she edged a delivery from Aaliyah Alleyne to Ashmini Munisar, who completed a difficult one-handed catch. Deol followed suit shortly after, edging a wide delivery from Deandra Dottin to wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle. Jemimah Rodrigues also chipped in with a well-constructed 29 runs off 45 balls.
Deepti Sharma, Renuka Thakur wreak havoc on West Indies
Deepti Sharma (6/31) and Renuka Thakur (4/29) combined forces to dismantle the West Indies batting lineup, sharing all ten wickets between them. Thakur's precise line and length proved effective against the top order, while Deepti's skillful spin bowling deceived the batters, resulting in her third ODI five-wicket haul and second six-wicket performance.
The West Indies innings faced an early setback when Thakur dismissed both openers, including Hayley Matthews, who scored a century in the previous match. Deepti then took control, claiming wickets at regular intervals and restricting the West Indies to a total of 162 runs.
While Chinelle Henry (61) and Shemaine Campbelle (46) formed a crucial 97-run partnership, it was not enough to prevent the West Indies from suffering a comprehensive defeat. Apart from this partnership, only Aaliyah Alleyne managed a double-digit score in West Indies' losing cause.