West Indies vs India 2022: 3rd ODI – Who Said What

Having won the first two ODIs against West Indies, India had already sealed the three-match series and the final game was a dead rubber for them. It mattered for West Indies more than India, as they had to save themselves from a whitewash, which they couldn’t. In what was a rain-affected match, India defeated the hosts by 119 runs (DLS method).

Shubman Gill was in fine touch throughout the series and kept his game going even in the final ODI with an unbeaten run-a-ball 98. His knock included seven fours and two sixes. The opening batter was denied his maiden ODI hundred as the weather played spoilsport, and India had to end their innings early in the 36th over after the game was cut down the 35 overs per side. Gill was well supported by Shreyas Iyer, who slammed 44 runs off 34 deliveries.

Indian bowlers shine as West Indies lineup comes crashing down

West Indies started off their run-chase with a difficult target of 257 runs in 35 overs. Mohammed Siraj got India off to a terrific start by dismissing Kyle Mayers and Shamarh Brooks in his very first over. While Axar Patel and Prasidh Krishna scalped one wicket each, Shardul Thakur ended his good run by registering 2/17 in five overs.

It was Yuzvendra Chahal who aided India in finishing off the hosts’ innings very early during their chase. He stormed through West Indies’ lower order and picked three wickets within two overs to end the hosts’ chase at 137 runs in 26 overs. The two teams will now clash in a five-match T20I series starting July 29.

Losing skipper, Nicholas Pooran said:

It was a tough one for us. We did a lot of right things in the first two games. I think we tried up our best, the boys performed well. But there were a lot of games in a short span of time. As a batting group, it was going to be a challenge with DLS coming into play. We did get some partnerships, but not as many as we wanted, that cost us the game. There are a few inexperienced players, still figuring out how to play ODI cricket. Everyone has a good idea now, looking forward to the upcoming New Zealand series. We gained a lot in this series after coming from Guyana. The bowlers bowled well in the powerplay, they didn’t get wickets, but that’s fine. The guys are getting more confident with every game. Very excited with our T20 team, looking forward to the game on Friday. Hope that we come out and entertain the crowd.

Winning skipper Shikhar Dhawan said: 

I feel the boys are young, but they played maturely. The way they handled themselves on the field, really proud of them. Very good signs for us. I am quite pleased with my form, I have been playing this format since a long time. I was happy with the way I played that knock, in the first ODI. And even today, happy with my peformance. The way he scored those 98 runs, it was amazing to watch. The way all the boys responded, it was pretty amazing. We feel lucky to come here, we are thankful to the crowd. They make us more popular. I am proud of our bowling unit, they gave their hundred percent. The way Siraj took those two wickets, and the way Shardul and others bowled.

Player of the Match & Player of the Series Shubman Gill said:

Was hoping to get a hundred, but that (rain) was not under my control. Was very disappointed how I got out in the first two ODIs. I tried to play according to the ball and let the instincts take over. I wanted only one more over, was hoping for that. The wicket played fantastically in all the three games. The ball was gripping a bit after 30 overs. Happy with my peformance.