Indore: India defeated West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20 at Holkar Stadium in Indore, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. After being asked to bat first, India were bowled out for 223 in 20 overs, but West Indies could manage only 209/7 in their allotted overs.
Abhishek Sharma led India’s batting with 69 off 30 balls, while Arshdeep Singh took three wickets to help the hosts secure the victory.
India suffered an early setback when Sanju Samson was dismissed for just three runs. However, Abhishek and Ishan Kishan counterattacked, putting together a 108-run partnership off just 40 balls to give the innings momentum.
Abhishek struck six fours and five sixes during his 69-run knock. Kishan provided further impetus with 37 off 18 balls before both batters departed.
Tilak Varma contributed 28 runs, Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 21 and Axar Patel added 20. However, wickets fell quickly in the middle and lower order, and India were eventually bowled out for 223.
For West Indies, Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph and Shamar Springer claimed two wickets each. Gudakesh Motie and Keemo Paul picked up one wicket apiece.
West Indies fall short despite contributions from middle order
West Indies also lost their captain early in the chase, with Shai Hope dismissed for five. Shimron Hetmyer and Kamil Pooran then added 62 runs for the second wicket to keep the visitors in contention.
Hetmyer scored 43 off 26 balls but missed out on a half-century, while Pooran made 42 off 27 deliveries. Quinton Sampson contributed 21 off 15 balls, and Sherfane Rutherford scored 32 off 20 balls.
Despite these contributions, West Indies finished on 209/7 in 20 overs, falling 14 runs short of India’s total. Arshdeep Singh was India’s leading wicket-taker with three wickets.
India regain the lead after series was levelled
India had won the opening match in Lucknow by eight wickets, with captain Shreyas Iyer scoring a century. West Indies levelled the series in the second match in Ranchi, scoring a record 250 runs and securing a six-wicket victory, powered by a century from captain Shai Hope.
With the win in Indore, India moved ahead 2-1 in the series.
