India Leads T20 Series 2-1 After Narrow Win Over West Indies
INDORE, India – Arshdeep Singh and spinner Naman Dhir combined to take five wickets as India defeated the West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20 international on Sunday, securing a 2-1 advantage in the five-match series.
Singh claimed 3-44 while Dhir contributed 2-39, limiting the West Indies to 209-7 during their run chase.
Strong Batting Performance Sets the Tone
Earlier, Abhishek Sharma powered India’s innings with 69 runs off just 30 balls, smashing five sixes. India posted a formidable total of 223 in their 20 overs after the West Indies chose to field first at Indore.
The West Indies had taken the second match in Ranchi by six wickets, achieving their highest successful chase in T20 cricket. India secured the series opener in Lucknow with an eight-wicket win.
Details of the Match Progression
After being put into bat, India began well despite losing Sanju Samson cheaply for 3 runs. Sharma's aggressive hitting brought up 50 off 18 balls, helping India reach 87-1 in the powerplay. The team passed 100 runs within 7.2 overs, fueled by a 108-run partnership between Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who scored 37 from 18 balls.
Kishan hit one six and six fours but was stumped off Roston Chase (2-38) in the ninth over. Chase also dismissed captain Shreyas Iyer lbw for 1 in the same over. This sparked a mini collapse, with India losing four wickets for 20 runs, sliding to 135-5.
West Indies Struggle to Keep Pace
Given the visitors’ strong batting form earlier in the series, India’s total seemed competitive but not overwhelming. West Indies started their innings cautiously, losing captain Shai Hope early for 5 runs, bowled by Singh in the second over. They managed 54-1 at the powerplay.
Kamil Pooran (42) and Shimron Hetmyer (43) combined for a quick 60 runs off 31 balls, including five sixes. This forced India to bring on Dhir’s offspin, which paid off as he dismissed Hetmyer and Pooran.
Rovman Powell fell for 5, caught by Patel, as the Indian spinners took three wickets during the middle overs. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 32 runs off 20 balls, hitting two sixes, and partnered with Quentin Sampson (21) to add 46 runs off 27 deliveries. However, their wickets left West Indies behind the required run rate.
Shamar Springer finished unbeaten on 35 off 11 balls, including three sixes in the final over bowled by Axar Patel, but the effort was not enough to avoid defeat.
Next Match Details
The fourth T20 match will be played in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
- Match result: India won by 14 runs
- India bowling figures: Arshdeep Singh 3-44, Naman Dhir 2-39
- Top scorers: Abhishek Sharma 69 (30), Shimron Hetmyer 43 (West Indies)
- Series score: India leads 2-1 in the five-match series
