Stafanie Taylor was at her best, but India Women prevailed 2-1 in the ODI series in the West Indies to continue their formidable form in the format. Here is what Karunya Keshav came away with from the three matches.

The women’s ODI series between hosts West Indies and India in Antigua began with a cracker, the hosts celebrating the country’s Independence Day with a thrilling one-run win. India, though, came back from the defeat in the opening game to claim the series with strong all-round performances.

It was the seventh ODI series win for Mithali Raj’s team in the past two years since their 2017 World Cup final loss; their only series defeat in that time has come to Australia.

Here are the main takeaways from the first leg of their Caribbean tour.

India’s bowlers form their ODI core

India have their struggles in T20 cricket, but they showed again that they are an excellent ODI team. Their middle order has its issues, and without Smriti Mandhana, the run-rate tends to take a beating – but they will still back themselves to defend an under par total because of their bowling attack.

Four of the top five wicket-takers in the series were from the visitors’ dug-out. Pacer Jhulan Goswami, at 36, is still incisive; Shikha Pandey has rediscovered her swing; and in Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Ekta Bisht and Rajeshwari Gayakwad they have plenty of spin options to choke the scoring.

Eleven times since the last World Cup – that is, in nearly half the matches they’ve played – India’s bowlers have dismissed the opposition for less than 200. Only Australia’s bowlers have taken more wickets (194 to 191) since the last World Cup. In wins, India’s bowling has a better average than New Zealand, England or Australia.

On slow tracks, few batting attacks have enjoyed success against the Indians. They haven’t yet been tested in Australia, so the tour next year should be revealing.

Stafanie Taylor – one woman show

The West Indies captain’s 193 runs at an average of 64.33 put her in a league of her own. The next best for her team was Natasha McLean’s 69 runs in three matches. India’s Punam Raut had 123 runs, but they came at a laboured strike-rate of 56.68, as against Taylor’s 82.47.

They are the only team, apart from bottom-placed Sri Lanka, not to play any ODIs outside of the IWC since the last World Cup. That means they’ve had fewer chances to experiment with new players and systems. It can’t help that they’ve been under interim management for a while now. Given the brisk pace of development in the women’s game elsewhere, West Indies are at risk of being one of those teams left behind.

Return of X-factor batters

West Indies have made the most of some experienced campaigners in their line-up, but they missed the X factor of Hayley Matthews, who had been suspended on disciplinary grounds, the details of which were not made public, and Deandra Dottin, facing an extended spell on the sidelines owing to injury.

Matthews made an immediate impact upon her return and West Indies will hope Dottin will be match ready in time for the T20 World Cup next year.

For India, Mandhana made an immediate impact in the third game, having recovered from a fractured toe. As one of those match-winners who can set the tone for the side, she remains central to India’s plans.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s superhuman effort

Watch her catch at the ropes in the first match, then watch it again.