In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess, India emerged victorious in the decisive third and final one-day international against the West Indies. Held at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, the match witnessed India’s emphatic win by a staggering 200 runs, reclaiming their dominance in the ODI series.
Despite missing key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli due to rest, India’s batting lineup showcased an outstanding collective performance, posting an imposing total of 351-5 after being put in to bat first. Openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan set the stage for India’s innings, with Kishan impressively smashing 77 runs off just 64 balls. The duo’s record-breaking opening stand of 143 laid the foundation for an imposing score.
Gill, more cautious in his approach, exhibited a composed innings, notching up a top score of 85 off 92 deliveries. Sanju Samson and the stand-in captain, Hardik Pandya, further accelerated the run-rate with explosive performances of 51 off 41 balls and an unbeaten 70 off just 52 deliveries, respectively.
The West Indies’ bowling attack struggled to contain India’s batters, with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie proving to be the most economical, conceding only 38 runs in his ten overs. Despite their best efforts, the home side couldn’t halt India’s aggressive onslaught.
Chasing a mammoth target of 352, the West Indies’ batting lineup faced a daunting challenge. Mukesh Kumar’s fiery opening spell dismantled the top order, dismissing openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers, and eventually claiming the vital wicket of captain Shai Hope. As the wickets kept tumbling, the West Indies found themselves reeling at 50 for six.
Though Gudakesh Motie and Alzarri Joseph offered some resistance, Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spin added two more wickets to India’s tally. Shardul Thakur, alongside Jaydev Unadkat, further inflicted damage on the West Indies, leading to their eventual collapse at 151 all out in 35.3 overs.
India’s comprehensive victory marked their second-largest win against the West Indies in ODIs. It also extended their remarkable streak of bilateral series wins against the Caribbean team in this format to an impressive 13.
Following this resounding win, both teams will gear up for the next leg of the tour, a five-match T20 international series. The action-packed series promises to deliver further exciting encounters as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await more riveting performances from both sides.
As the tour continues, India‘s dominant display against the West Indies highlights the team’s strength and determination. Despite resting key players, their young and talented lineup has proven their mettle, setting the stage for an exhilarating T20 series ahead.