Spinning duo of Kuldeep and Jadeja restricted West Indies to a low score. Caribbean players put 114/10 runs only and were only able to play 23 overs. India however tries some changes in the batting order and wins the match by 5 wickets. India now lead the 3 match series by 1-0. They already won the Test series by 1-0. Kuldeep Yadav awarded as Player of the match.
After losing the toss, West Indies were invited to bat. Hardik Pandya proved his skipper’s decision right by taking the wicket of Kyle Mayers. A short length delivery and Mayers misjudged it and Rohit took an easy catch. He contributed with only 2 runs. (7-1). After that Alick Athanaze played some great lofted shots but Mukesh Kumar grabbed his wicket. It was Mukesh’s maiden ODI wicket. Athanaze departed after making 22 runs. (45-2).
In the next over, Thakur extirpated the wickets of Brandon King. King was looking good but the seam movement of Thakur’s delivery goes to the wicket. He scored 17 runs. (45-3). The highest partnership for the West Indies innings is for the 4th wicket between Hetmyer and Shai Hope is 43 runs. Jadeja breaks this partnership by dismissing the comeback guy, Hetmyer. He scored 11 runs. (88-4).
Jadeja in his next over, took the wicket of Rovman Powell. He made only 4 runs. (96-5). In that same over, Jadeja dismissed Shepherd. Kohli took a stunning catch in the 2nd slip. Shepherd goes for a duck. (96-6). Kuldeep Yadav strikes in the next over by taking the wicket of Drakes. Yadav’s googly did the trick, which strikes Drakes pad and the umpire raises his finger up. Drakes only made 3 runs. (99-7).
Then Kuldeep again strikes in his next over by dismissing Cariah. Again this time also his googly works. India took a review in this and suddenly all the red lights glowed and the umpire had to reverse his decision. Cariah made 3 runs. (107-8). Shai Hope, the highest run maker for West Indies in this ODI departed after making 43 runs. Kuldeep gets the credit for the dismissal. (114-9). Last man was Jayden Seales who goes in the same over. Kuldeep took him off. He goes for a duck. (114-10). Motie remains unbeaten at zero.
Both the left wrist spinners performed brilliantly. Kuldeep yadav claims 4 wickets while Jadeja gets 3 wickets. Thakur, Mukesh and Pandya got 1 wicket each.
When India came for batting, India lost 5 wickets due to some shuffling in the batting order. As the target was low, captain Rohit Sharma tried the youngster to do the job. But eventually it fails and India manages a 5 wicket victory over Caribbean. Gill and Ishan opened up for India. But Gill falls in the 4th over. Seales dismissed him. Gill made 7 runs. (18-1).
Suryakumar Yadav was the next one who went out. He looked in a good rhythm but Motie in his 1st over dismissed him. Yadav contributed with 19 runs. (54-2). Next man was Hardik Pandya, he got run out by Cariah. He made only 5 runs. (70-3). Then after completing his half century, Ishan Kishan departed. Motie gets the credit. Ishan made 52 runs which includes 7 fours and a six. (94-4).
After that, Thakur was promoted up in the order but he failed to contribute and Cariah took his wicket. He scored 1 run. (97-5). Then Rohit and Jadeja both finish off in style. Rohit made 12 runs and Jadeja made 16 runs. And India wins the match.
Motie grabbed 2 Indian batters while Seales and Cariah settled with 1 wicket each.
Kuldeep Yadav, Awarded Player of the Match,
“Perfect, the fast bowlers bowled really well with Mukesh, Shardul and Hardik. Me and Jaddu were brilliant, we hit the right lengths which is what was necessary on this wicket. I’m just focusing on my rhythm, hitting the right lengths and it has been very nice. I thought it will be a seaming paradise, we are happy we got 7 wickets from our side. It was spinning a bit, and there was bounce as well. It’s always good to have competition, we just try to work together. When you have a senior like Chahal, it helps you and he gives a lot of advice as well. We enjoy each other’s company.”
Shai Hope, West Indies Captain,
“Not too many words come to mind. We didn’t play the way we needed to. We need to find ways to score on difficult pitches like this. I’m not making excuses but anyone watching cricket can see what is happening here.
About Seales, “He is a quality player, somebody we can invest in and I hope he grows from strength to strength. The Indian bowlers did well on this surface, but we didn’t bat well.”
Rohit Sharma, India Captain,
“I never thought the pitch would play like that. It was the team’s need to bowl first and have a score. The pitch had everything for the seamers and spinners. Our guys did well to restrict them to that score. We wanted to give time to the ODI guys who have come in, we will keep trying those things whenever possible. To restrict them to 115, we knew we could try these guys and give them a go. I don’t think they’ll get many chances like this.
….I made my debut for India and was batting at number 7, reminded me of those days. Mukesh was brilliant. he can swing the ball at good pace. Good to see what he can offer. Haven’t seen him much in domestic cricket. No matter the conditions, we need to bowl in the right areas to restrict them and I thought our bowlers did brilliantly. And then Ishan was good with the bat as well.”