IND-W vs WI-W, 3rd ODI: India rides on the ‘Deepti Sharma show’ to complete series sweep over West Indies

IND-W vs WI-W, 3rd ODI: India rides on the ‘Deepti Sharma show’ to complete series sweep over West Indies

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 6 for 31, followed by an unbeaten 39 (48b, 3×4, 1×6) – guided India to a five-wicket win against the West Indies and complete a 3-0 sweep.

Despite hazy conditions persisting, West Indies opted to bat and the decision backfired as Renuka Singh Thakur (4 for 29) made the most of the early morning conditions and removed Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph inside the first five overs.

Reeling at 9 for 3, it seemed to be an uphill task for the visiting team to recover. However, with Chinelle Henry (61, 72b) and Shemaine Campbelle adding 97 runs for the fourth wicket, West Indies breached the 100-run mark. Looking aggressive, Campbelle raced down the track, hoping to go over long-on, but she 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 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 India 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 sixes.