Team Indian held their nerve in a big chase in the third and final ODI of the series against West Indies only to prove victorious in the end and clinch the series 2-1 on Sunday. Having conceded 315 runs in the first innings, Indian batsmen had a tough task in hand at Cuttack.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul gave India the start they were looking for, putting on a 122 run opening partnership between them before Rohit fell prey to Jason Holder in the 21st over while going for a drive only to edge it to the keeper.
India at this stage were still cruising at 122 for 1 after 21 overs with a well-set KL Rahul and in-form Virat Kohli at the crease. The duo added 45 runs for the second wicket and took the total closer to the target. However, three wickets in short intervals meant that it wasn’t going to be another walk in the park chase for the Men in Blue. India had lost KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant, all the in the space of just five overs.
Virat Kohli then joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja to steady India’s ship but couldn’t take the team over the line this time as Keemo Pual silenced the crowd at Cuttack with a gem of delivery, sending Indian captain back to the pavilion after a well made 85 (81 balls) in the 46th over of the game.
While all the hopes fell over the shoulders of Ravindra Jadeja in yet another crucial game, it was Shardul Thakur who played the best cameo of his life, smashing 17 runs in six deliveries laced with a six and two fours only to win the match for his team and thereby seal the series.
Here is how the Twitter world reacted on India’s another series win against West Indies:
A Fantastic year and a great series for Rohit Sharma. Rahul and Kohli were brilliant but Jadeja and Shardul Thakur in the end.
Waah !
A great effort from West Indies too, gave India a run for their money #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/tUTeA9KE89— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 22, 2019
Congratulations to #TeamIndia on winning the ODI Series 🏆 . It was a commendable performance from the whole team. Keep it up boys.#INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/iXxOZsPZkK
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 22, 2019
Most Bilateral Series Wins as Captain
(After 46 Series)35 – 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 🐐
35 – Ricky Ponting
30 – Dhoni
29 – Graeme Smith#INDvsWI @imVkohli— – (@Marvellous_Capt) December 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/LalvaniGaurav/status/1208782422898139136
Great to see the way Rohit and Rahul batted in this series and also the intent and stroke play from Virat when India was in a spot of bother. #INDvsWI
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 22, 2019
This decade,
India’s first ODI win: Virat Kohli (91)
India’s last ODI win: Virat Kohli (85)India chased down a total both the times successfully.#INDvsWI
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 22, 2019
In this india vs windies odi series
Most runs-Rohit
Highest score-Rohit
Most 4s-Rohit
Best average by indian-Rohit
Most sixes by indian-RohitWell done @ImRo45 #INDvsWI #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/Ouwgq1vpf7
— . (@ImVK__) December 22, 2019
India will next play against Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 series against West Indies, starting from 5th January 2019. The first T20 is scheduled to be played at Pune on 5th January, while the second and third T20 game will be played on 7th January and 10th January respectively.
