TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies were left with a daunting run chase of 352 after India’s batters flexed their muscle in the decisive third One-Day International at Brian Lara Stadium.
Asked to bat first, India marched their way to an imposing 351 for five off their 50 overs, with Shubman Gill (85), Ishan Kishan (77), Hardik Pandya (70 not out) and Sanju Samson (51) all lashing half-centuries.
Fast bowler Romario Shepherd snared two for 73 from his ten overs but also proved expensive as all of West Indies’ bowlers, except left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, came in for hiding from India’s batters.
Ishan Kishan’s third straight half-century of the series provided the foundation for India’s start, the 25-year-old left-hander smacking eight fours and three sixes in a 64-ball knock to inspire a 143-run stand for the first innings with Gill.
For his part, the 23-year-old Gill punched 11 fours off 92 balls and put on 69 for the third wicket after Ishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) perished in the space of 21 balls with 11 runs added, at 154 for two at the end of the 23rd.
Samson, who counted two fours and four sixes in a rapid 41-ball knock, fell near Gill to leave India on 244 for four in the 39th over, giving West Indies hope of limiting the damage.
However, captain Pandya provided a thrilling end to the innings, first in a 65-run, fifth wicket stand with Suryakumar Yadav (35) and then in a 42-run, unbroken sixth wicket alliance with Ravindra Jadeja (eight not out), as India gathered 104 runs from the last ten overs.
The series is currently level 1-1.
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