'Surprise, surprise, top-3 got fifties!' - Parthiv Patel lauds Indian top-order for promising performance in 1st West Indies ODI

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel lauded the efforts of India’s top three batters following India’s three-run victory in the first ODI against West Indies on July 22 in Port of Spain. The top-three batters, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, all scored fifties and gave India the needed start at the top.

Patel said that Gill played a brilliant knock after being chosen ahead of Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gayakwad to open the innings. He also opined that Dhawan is usually more attacking of the two openers when he partners with Rohit Sharma. But with Gill, he was playing the anchor role.

“Shikhar Dhawan played a captain’s knock. He was very well supported by Shubman Gill; he was chosen ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, and he played a brilliant knock,” Patel told Cricbuzz.” Usually, when Shikhar Dhawan plays with Rohit Sharma, Rohit takes his time and Shikhar goes out attacking. But today, Shubman played an attacking role with Dhawan playing as anchor.”

Shubman Gill showed how good a talent he is: Parthiv Patel

“Shreyas also came back in form, sort of. He didn’t get as many runs as was expected out of him during the IPL and the England tour. But here, he got a fifty. And surprise, surprise, India’s top-3 got fifties. Usually, we talk about India’s top-3 not getting runs,” Parthiv said on Cricbuzz.

Dhawan scored 97 runs off 99 balls and his partner Gill scored 64 off 53 balls. They together added 119 for the first wicket. Iyer walked in at number three and scored 54 runs off 57 balls. The second-wicket partnership between Iyer and Dhawan was of 94 runs.

“Our top-3 has not got runs in England but here, Dhawan got 97, Gill proved himself again and showed how good a talent he is, and Iyer got a fifty as well,” added the former Indian wicketkeeper.

India amassed a total of 308 in 50 overs and in the chase, West Indies came agonisingly close, but fell three runs short. Dhawan was awarded the Player of the Match award for his performance. The second ODI is set to take place on July 24, Sunday, at the same venue.