West Indies won the 3rd ODI against India by 16 thrilling runs

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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It took Darren Sammy and Andre Russell 5.4 overs of turmoil to undo India’s impressive afternoon, and plot their first defeat in 12 home games – by 16 runs.

The pair came together after Ravindra Jadeja pulled off an outfield catch for the ages to get rid of Kieron Pollard, West Indies’ most dangerous batsman on paper. Sammy and Russell have proceeded to test that supposition with an unbroken partnership of delightful fierceness that yielded 79, propelling West Indies to an impregnable 260. The bowlers, led by the uncontrollable Ravi Rampaul, then sliced through India’s top order and set up West Indies’ first win on tour.

Two things have been invariable in this series – Rohit Sharma’s pristine form, and the game-changing competence of the last wicket pair. Under lights, West Indies did enough to overcome both and finish on top. Rohit has stroked a pleasing 95 as India crumbled around him, but ran himself out in an anxious effort to manipulate the strike to be the ninth man dismissed. Abhimanyu Mithun and Umesh Yadav then lashed out 28 for the final wicket in 19 balls to keep West Indies on border, before Rampaul yorked Mithun to close the game.

Barring Rohit’s stunner, which puts him decisively in the frame for a Test debut in Australia, almost nothing went India’s way. Yadav and Vinay Kumar frightened with the new balls before being pounded in the slog. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir bagged first-ball ducks to extend their worrying runs of poor form, with Australia looming. To make matters worse, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina decomposed to umpiring errors that could have been upturned by the DRS – not in place for this series thanks to BCCI’s opposition to the system.

It was a telling turnaround for India, who could scarcely put a foot wrong earlier after winning the toss. Seam and swing weren’t hypothetical to be part of the agenda on a sweltering afternoon, but Vinay Kumar produced away seamers, Yadav pace and swing, and Mithun a raft of in dippers. India’s spinners backed up the seamers well to ensure they kept winning the big moments. The half-centurion Marlon Samuels has exited just as he was prepared for assault. The man most likely to assist him, Darren Bravo, was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring strain. And then Pollard was caught spectacularly to leave the innings irresolute. The tide was about to turn, though, and how.

West Indies’ cause was support by India’s inexperience, as Yadav and Mithun have delivered contemptible lengths in the slog. Sammy wound up for the fun by redirecting Vinay for two fours, before Russell carted Yadav for a monster six. Next, Sammy turned his attention towards Mithun, sweeping a wide ball, and thrashing a length delivery for fours. He then stroke two sixes soaked with typical Caribbean audacity on either side of the wicket – he slashed a wide ball over cover, before merrily whiplashing a full toss over midwicket – to take 23 off the over. Russell then went ballistic in Yadav’s last over, drilling a near yorker down the ground and fore-handing a length ball for fours, before teeing off towards the press box.

Narine, who exhibit an ice-cool disposition for a debutant in front of a loud crowd, gave Ashwin a taste of his own carom ball to end the partnership, with India 65 runs away. Rohit prolonged his luck decisively in the 44th over after pushing the ball to mid-on, and Sammy blasted the stumps out with a laser-sharp throw. The captain has distinguished like a man relieved to finally pull a win back. Mithun slugged a couple of monster sixes to keep West Indies waiting – shots that may have played a part in substantiate his ticket to Australia – but they weren’t enough to keep India’s streak alive.

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