India Beat West Indies by 14 Runs to Take 2-1 Series Lead

India defeated West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20I, thanks to impressive bowling performances from left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and off-spinner Naman Dhir. The victory gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

After losing the toss in Indore on Sunday, India were bowled out for 223 in 20 overs. In reply, West Indies managed 209 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

India suffered an early setback when Sanju Samson was dismissed for just three runs. However, Abhishek Sharma launched an aggressive counterattack, smashing five sixes during the powerplay to reach his half-century in just 18 balls. India raced to 87 runs in the first six overs. Abhishek then combined with Ishan Kishan to forge a destructive 108-run partnership off just 40 balls for the second wicket.

Abhishek scored 69 off 30 deliveries, while Kishan contributed 37 off 18 balls before both were dismissed. India crossed the 100-run mark in just 7.2 overs but subsequently suffered a minor collapse. Roston Chase’s spin accounted for four wickets within a span of just 20 runs, leaving the hosts struggling at 135 for five. Captain Shreyas Iyer was also dismissed for just one run, as Chase finished with figures of two for 38.

Chasing a daunting target of 224, West Indies were dealt an early blow when Arshdeep Singh bowled in-form captain Shai Hope for five in the second over. The visitors could manage only 54 runs during the powerplay.

A rapid 60-run partnership off 31 balls between Nicholas Pooran, who scored 42, and Shimron Hetmyer, who made 43, for the second wicket brought the Caribbean side back into contention. Indian captain then introduced Naman Dhir into the attack, and the off-spinner responded by dismissing both Hetmyer and Pooran. Axar Patel also removed Rovman Powell for five.

Towards the end, Sherfane Rutherford (32 off 20 balls) and Quinton Sampson (21) attempted to keep the chase alive, but the visitors continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. In the final over, Shamar Springer launched an assault on Axar Patel, producing an unbeaten cameo of 35 off just 11 deliveries. However, his late fireworks only narrowed the margin of defeat.

For India, Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets for 44 runs, while Naman Dhir took two for 39.

India had won the opening match in Lucknow by eight wickets, but West Indies bounced back in the second T20I in Ranchi, chasing down a record target to secure a six-wicket victory. The fourth match of the series will be played in Hyderabad next Wednesday.