Brief Score: India 118 for 5 (Kishan 52, Motie 2-26) beat West Indies 114 (Hope 43, Kuldeep 4-6, Jadeja 3-37) by five wickets.
Player of the Match: Kuldeep Yadav
India clinched a five-wicket victory against West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados, in just 45.5 overs of play.
The left-arm spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role in India’s win, orchestrating a stunning collapse of West Indies, taking 7 wickets for just 26 runs in 44 balls. This incredible performance saw West Indies crumble from 88 for 3 to 114 all-out. Ishan Kishan, who opened the batting alongside Shubman Gill, led India’s chase. Although India lost five wickets along the way, the modest target made it a comfortable win. Rohit Sharma batted at No. 7, and Virat Kohli wasn’t even required as India achieved victory with 163 balls to spare.
West Indies, batting first, anticipated moisture on the surface to be a factor, but it was spin that caused their downfall. Kuldeep took 4 wickets for just 6 runs in three overs, while Jadeja claimed 3 wickets for 37 runs in six overs.
Mukesh Kumar made his ODI debut for India, starting with a maiden over, while Hardik Pandya took the first wicket with a sharp back-of-a-length delivery. Kyle Mayers was the first to fall, attempting an ungainly shot that resulted in a catch by Rohit Sharma at mid-on.
Alick Athanaze, playing his second ODI, displayed Caribbean flair with stylish shots but was dismissed by Mukesh after smashing two boundaries. Brandon King was the next to depart, bowled by Shardul Thakur’s cross-seam delivery.
Shimron Hetmyer, playing his first ODI since July 2021, formed a partnership with captain Shai Hope, reaching 87 for 3 after 15 overs. However, Jadeja’s effective bowling disrupted their progress. Hetmyer attempted an ill-advised scoop and was bowled. Jadeja then had Rovman Powell caught at first slip, and a brilliant catch by Virat Kohli at second slip dismissed Romario Shepherd.
Kuldeep joined the action, taking Dominic Drakes’ wicket with a well-executed wrong ‘un. Yannic Cariah briefly showed resistance but fell victim to Kuldeep. Jayden Seales was Kuldeep’s fourth victim. West Indies recorded their second-lowest ODI total against India and their joint-third lowest at home.
In India’s chase, Ishan Kishan set the tempo with aggressive shots, while Gill contributed with a boundary before falling to Seales. Suryakumar Yadav played some attractive shots, including a signature scoop over fine leg, but was caught in front of the stumps.
Kishan continued to score boundaries and reached his fifty off 44 balls before getting out while attempting a big shot. Shardul Thakur made a brief appearance, but it was Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja who saw India to victory in the 23rd over.
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