HighLights
  1. Abhishek Sharma smashed 69 off 30 balls.
  2. India posted 223 all out in 20 overs after a 108-run second-wicket partnership.
  3. Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets as India defended their total.

India defeated West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20I at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 69 off 30 balls powered India to 223 all out, before Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets to help the hosts defend the total against a dangerous West Indies batting line-up.

West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bowl, finished at 209/7 in their 20 overs. Despite a late counterattack from Shamar Springer, India held their nerve in the closing stages to secure a crucial victory.

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Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan Give India Flying Start

India lost Sanju Samson early for three, but Abhishek quickly shifted the momentum with an aggressive display against the West Indies bowlers. The left-hander smashed six fours and five sixes, reaching his half-century in just 18 balls.

Ishan Kishan provided excellent support, scoring 37 off 18 deliveries as the pair stitched together a 108-run partnership for the second wicket in just 40 balls. India raced to 87/1 in the powerplay and looked set for a total well beyond 250.

Abhishek also reached the milestone of 2,000 T20I runs during his innings, becoming the fastest batter to achieve the mark in terms of balls faced. However, Roston Chase turned the game around by dismissing Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer in the same over.

Shamar Springer then removed Abhishek for 69, triggering a middle-order collapse. India slipped from 115/1 to 135/5, with Naman Dhir also departing soon after.

Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed 21, while Tilak Varma made 28 and Axar Patel scored 20. However, both Tilak and Axar were run out as India lost wickets at regular intervals. Prince Yadav's late boundaries helped India reach 223 before Mayank Yadav was bowled on the final delivery.

Arshdeep Singh Leads India's Bowling Effort

West Indies needed 224 runs to win and suffered an early setback when Arshdeep Singh dismissed captain Shai Hope for five. India continued to apply pressure, preventing the visitors from building a sustained partnership.

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Arshdeep returned to make a decisive impact in the closing overs, finishing with figures of 3/44. His yorker to dismiss Sherfane Rutherford for 32 off 20 balls proved particularly important as West Indies attempted to accelerate.

The visitors remained in contention through the final overs, but the required run rate continued to climb. Springer produced a spirited unbeaten 35 off 11 deliveries, including a late flurry of boundaries and sixes, but the effort came too late.

West Indies ended at 209/7, falling 14 runs short. The victory gives India a 2-1 advantage, with the fourth T20I scheduled for October 14 as the hosts look to seal the series.


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