INDORE: India beat West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20I at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday, defending a total of 223 to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and chose to field first. His bowlers could not contain India’s top order early on, and the visitors then fell short in the chase despite a late surge from Shamar Springer.
Abhishek Sharma sets up a big total
India lost Sanju Samson early. Shamar Joseph removed him for three in the second over, with the score at 11.
Abhishek Sharma then took charge of the innings. He hit 69 off 30 balls, with six fours and five sixes. His second-wicket stand with Ishan Kishan produced 108 runs and put India well ahead of the rate.
Kishan made 37 off 18 balls before he fell. After that, India lost wickets at regular intervals. Tilak Varma scored 28, Nitish Kumar Reddy added 21 and Axar Patel made 20, but the middle-order collapse slowed the scoring.
India were bowled out for 223 off the final ball of the innings. The total was still the highest of the match, and it proved just enough.
For West Indies, Joseph, Roston Chase and Springer took two wickets each. Gudakesh Motie and Keemo Paul claimed one wicket apiece.
West Indies chase fades despite late hitting
The chase began badly for the visitors. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Hope for five, and West Indies were under pressure from the start.
Shimron Hetmyer kept the innings alive with 43 off 26 balls. Kamil Pooran added 42 off 27, and Sherfane Rutherford scored 32 off 20. Each batter got a start, but none stayed long enough to take the game deep.
Springer gave the chase a late lift. He came in at number eight and hit an unbeaten 35 off 11 balls. He joined the innings when West Indies needed 55 runs off 16 balls, and his hitting briefly raised hopes in the camp.
The target, however, stayed out of reach. West Indies closed on 209 for seven from their 20 overs.
Arshdeep led India’s attack with three wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Naman Dhir took two wickets, while Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy took one each. Arshdeep was named player of the match for his three wickets and a quick 11 runs with the bat.
Series lead changes hands again
The result continues a tight series. West Indies had levelled the contest in the second match, when West Indies stunned India by chasing 250 in the Ranchi T20I. India’s win in Indore was the first victory for a team batting first in this series.
Attention in the region now turns back to Rawalpindi, where Pakistan sealed their T20I series against Sri Lanka with an 82-run win on Sunday. In Brisbane, Australia beat Bangladesh in the second ODI behind a Georgia Voll century. West Indies, meanwhile, had strengthened their squad before the tour, with Amir Jangoo earning a T20I call-up for the India series.
The fourth T20I will be played in Hyderabad on Wednesday. West Indies must win to keep the series alive, while India can seal the series with one match to spare.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the India vs West Indies third T20I?
India won by 14 runs in Indore on Sunday. India scored 223 all out, and West Indies replied with 209 for seven.
Who was the top scorer in the third T20I?
Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 69 off 30 balls for India. For West Indies, Shimron Hetmyer made 43 off 26 balls.
Who was named player of the match?
Arshdeep Singh was named player of the match. He took three wickets for 44 runs and scored 11 runs.
What is the series score now?
India lead the five-match series 2-1. The fourth T20I is scheduled in Hyderabad on Wednesday, and West Indies need a win to level the series.
