West Indies’ hopes of a long-awaited series win over India were ruthlessly shattered, when they suffered a 200-run annihilation in the decisive third One-Day International at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in San Fernando, Trinidad.
The Caribbean side never recovered after India plundered 351 for 5 from their allocated 50 overs. This is the largest ever total against WI in the region as they were ripped apart by seamers Shardul Thakur with 4-26 and Mukesh Kumar with 3-30, capitulating for a paltry 151 in the 36th over to mark their second heaviest ODI defeat to India by 200 runs.
Going in to bat, dropped on nine at backward point by Keacy Carty off medium pacer Kyle Mayers in the second over, Ishan Kishan put his foot down to pummel his third straight half-century of the series and provide the foundation for India’s start, in a 143-run opening stand with Gill.
The 25-year old struck 8 fours and 3 sixes in a 64- ball knock while the 23-year old Gill punched 11 fours off 92 balls, putting on a further 69 for the third wicket with Samson after Ishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad perished in the space of 21 balls with 11 runs added at 154 for 2 at the end of the 23rd over.
Samson counted 2 fours and four sixes in a rapid 41-ball knock, he fell in close proximity to Gill to leave India on 244 for 4 in the 39th over.
Pandya, leading the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, arrived to energise the back end of the innings, first in a 65-run, fifth wicket stand with Suryakumar Yadav who made 35 and then in a 42-run, unbroken sixth wicket alliance with Ravindra Jadeja as India went into overdrive to gather 104 runs from the last 10 overs.
West Indies then endured a horror start with Brandon King nicking a drive at the fifth ball of the innings from Mukesh to fall to a catch at the wicket without scoring a single run on the board. Mayers playing on in the bowler’s next over for four with six runs added.
India struck a major blow when Hope edged a widish ball from Mukesh to have the WI tottering on 17 for 3, and needing a miracle to haul themselves back into the contest.
Athanaze, who struck 3 fours in his 50-ball knock, watched helplessly as Keacy Carty edged left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat to slip in the 11th over. Shimron Hetmyer drove Shardul chest height to Suryakumar Yadav at cover in the 12th and as Romario Shepherd holed out on the hook to fine leg, off Shardul in the 14th.
Attempt to repair the innings ended after he had posted 25 for the 7th wicket with Yannic Cariah at 19, bowled at the start of the 22nd over attempting to work left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (2-25) into the on-site.
West Indies looked to be in danger when they slipped to 88 for 8 in the 24th over. But Motie, going in at number 10 belted 4 fours and 3 sixes in a 34-ball cameo and Joseph supported with a four and a brace of sixes in a 39-ball innings, to save face.
India captured the three-match series 2-1 to extend their near decade-long dominance over West Indies.
