India won third ODI against West Indies by 200 runs to clinches three-match ODI series 2-1
In Cricket, India crushed West Indies by 200 runs in the third and final One Day International to secure a series win at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, in Trinidad and Tobago last night.
Chasing a target of 352 runs set by India, the hosts were all out at 151 in 35.3 overs. For India, Shardul Thakur claimed 4 wickets, Mukesh Kumar took three, Kuldeep Yadav bagged two and Jaydev Unadkat got one wicket.
India posted 351/5 in 50 overs, courtesy a stunning show by the top and middle order on a true wicket in Trinidad. With the series on the line, currently level at 1-1, India went in without veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and were asked to bat by the hosts.
Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill started shakily, with the former having a catch dropped and another falling short of Mayers. Shubman Gill played a few streaky shots too, and through the innings, survived a few run-out chances due to poor communication. However, the two cut loose soon enough, particularly with a 17-run ninth over from Alzarri Joseph.
The pair scored swiftly and both got to their fifties at quicker than a run-a-ball, and didn’t look like getting out, with Kishan in particular playing some audacious shots against the quick bowlers. Eventually, with the score at 143, it was Cariah who deceived Kishan with the flight, getting him stumped. Gaikwad followed soon after, edging a straightener from Joseph to the cordon.
And then, it began. Shubman Gill took the backseat – the best seat in the house when Sanju Samson is on song. The young batter burst into attack mode and smashed the bowling, taking on Cariah in particular, with four sixes in total. Samson got to his fifty off 39 deliveries, and fell soon after, chipping one from Shepherd to mid-off.
Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya stabilized things with a 49-ball stand for 65 runs, and just as they were starting to cut loose, Suryakumar ended up slicing one off Shepherd, leaving Ravindra Jadeja and Pandya to deal with acceleration at the death.
However, with Jadeja for support, and 19 balls to go, Pandya took charge of the slog overs and ensured 42 runs came off 19 balls after the fall of Suryakumar, helping India get past the 350-run mark in the series decider.
Brief Scores: India 351/5 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Ishan Kishan 77, Hardik Pandya 70*, Romario Shepherd 2-73) vs West Indies.
