West Indies Women’s struggles continue as India complete series sweep

West Indies Women endured a disappointing clean sweep in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, falling to a commanding five-wicket defeat against India Women in the final game at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on Friday.

Led by a sensational bowling display by Renuka Singh (4-29) and Deepti Sharma (6-31), India bowled the West Indies out for 162 in 38.5 overs before gunning down the target with five wickets in hand.  The pair shared all 10 wickets, with Renuka's incisive opening spell setting the tone.

West Indies' collapse began in dramatic fashion in the opening over when Renuka struck with her very first delivery, dismissing Qiana Joseph as the left-hander gloved a harmless ball down the leg side. The Indian pacer delivered another blow at the end of the over, clean bowling captain Hayley Matthews to become the first Indian bowler to dismiss both opposition openers for ducks in an ODI. Matthews had scored a century (106) in the second match on Tuesday, which India won by 115 runs.

West Indies found themselves in deeper trouble at nine runs for three wickets in the fifth over when Deandra Dottin, attempting a swipe to the leg side, was bowled by Renuka for just five runs.

Chinelle Henry (61), playing her first ODI of the series, and Shemaine Campbelle (46) staged a recovery, putting on 91 for the fourth wicket. Henry’s brisk knock, her third half-centry, featured five fours and three sixes, while Campbelle counterattacked India’s spinners before falling to Deepti.

Aaliyah Alleyne was the third-highest scorer for the West Indies, making 21 off 35 balls, after being dropped by Renuka off a leading edge when she was on nought.

India overcame early setbacks to chase down a modest target of 163 with 130 balls to spare, despite losing Smriti Mandhana for four and the previous match’s centurion, Harleen Deol, for one with the score on 23 in 6.1 overs.  Youngster Pratika Rawal, playing in her first series, fell for 18, leaving India in further trouble at 55-3 in 9.4 overs.

The innings wobbled further at 129-5, but Deepti, following her earlier six-wicket haul, struck an unbeaten 39 to top-score and complete a superb all-round display, guiding India to victory. Richa Ghosh remained alongside her, finishing not out on 23.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a valuable 32, while Jemimah Rodrigues added a steady 29.

For the West Indies, Matthews, Dottin, Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, and Karishma Ramharack claimed a wicket apiece.

The series defeat compounds a disappointing campaign for the West Indies, who also failed to secure direct qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup.