India vs West Indies, highlights, 3rd ODI at Cuttack, Full Cricket Score: Virat Kohli leads hosts to series win in decider

Most Man of the Match awards in international cricket:

76 : Sachin Tendulkar 

58 : Sanath Jayasuriya 

57 : Jacques Kallis, VIRAT KOHLI*

Virat Kohli: Having done it so many time you have a bit more calmness. With dew becoming a factor and the pitch was a good to bat on and all you need is a short partnership. From there the opposition usually crumbles. Jaddu (Jadeja) took a lot pressure off me and even Shardul taking pressure off me. It was outstanding to see others finishing the game. I did have a nervous stay out there when I was walking out but when I saw Jaddu being so confident. They just changed the game in three overs. Watching from outside is way more difficult than being in the middle of a run chase. It [2019] has been one of the best years in Indian cricket that has ever been apart from that half an hour that we play in the World Cup. But apart from that, the way we’ve played has been satisfying. We will keep chasing that ICC trophy, our vision it to win it, but to be a part of this time is beautiful thing. Having a bunch of fast bowlers who can bowl out any opposition anywhere – them taking the attention away from the spinners in India is a huge achievement.  When we travel now we think we have it in us to win every series not just a match.We are in the process of trying out people, see how they react under pressure. In a few years we will have to go through the transistion again and keep the Indian cricket as strong as they had it if not stronger and we will keep striving for it.

Rohit Sharma: We wanted to win this game. It was a good batting track, carry on the partnerships. The way KL and Virat batted, not to forgot Jadeja’s contribution. I also enjoyed Shardul’s pull shot. Extremely grateful for the year I’ve had. A World Cup victory would have been nice but as a team whether red ball or white ball cricket, the team came together really well.

This decade (2010-2019):

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.

Rohit Sharma is the Player of the Series

Virat Kohli is the Player of the Match

West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard: I don’t think there’s much to be disappointed about. Very proud of the guys. They showed their mettle. There’s a lot to look forward in the future and I’m very excited.

This is India’s 10th consecutive bilateral ODI series win (2+ ODIs) against West Indies – the most for them against an opponent, going past nine series wins against Sri Lanka, beginning from 2005.

Highest targets successfully chased by India against West Indies in ODIs:

325, Ahmedabad, 2002
323, Guwahati, 2018
316, Cuttack, 2019*

Shardul Thakur: The positive thinking was to give company to Jadeja till the end. 

Ravindra Jadeja: The wicket was good for batting. The ball was coming nicely to bat so it made things easier. Yes, there was a bit of pressure because I didn’t bat much in the series. Virat told me to try and play my game and luckly I could be there till the end.

Bit of a see-saw this series. Kohli-Jadeja manage to see India to a year-ending series’ win. West Indies have pushed India through this series and in the T20s before, so they are onto something with Pollard’s leadership. India, too strong in their den, when they revert to formula.

It’s all over!

India clinch the third ODI by four wickets and eight balls to spare. They have also won the series 2-1. 

Jadeja goes for a quick single and the near fielder comes up with a direct hit. The call goes to third umpire but it’s a no-ball so India win the match anyway because they needed only one run.

Short once again from Paul and it’s a four. Jadeja gets his bat to touch the ball and it races away to the fine-leg bounday. This is India’s match now.

Most international runs in 

2019 : Virat Kohli (2455)

2018 : Virat Kohli (2735)

2017 : Virat Kohli (2818)

2016 : Virat Kohli (2595)

After 48 overs,India 309/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 33 , Shardul Thakur 17)

The first ball from Cottrell is slower one but down the leg-side so it’s a wide. Jadeja plays and misses the next ball. The third ball results in a single. Cottrell goes for the bouncer but it’s over the head and umpire calls it wide. The next one goes for a six and then Shardul smashes a boundary. Two singles to end the over. 15 runs from the over. India need 7 from 12 balls.

Cannot stop celebrating in the dressing room

kohli is a lot calmer in the middle during run chases #INDvWI

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 22, 2019

Shardul is doing it for India! Cottrell pitches the ball up and the batsman smashes it over mid-on for a boundary.

Short from Cottrell and Shardul pulls the ball over fine-leg fielder for a maximum! This is a big hit!

An inside edge to decide the game? Maybe, but this is gettable still with Jadeja at the crease. We are headed for an intense finish.

After 47 overs,India 294/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 31 , Shardul Thakur 6)

Mind you, Shardul can bat and he can hit big shots too. He needs to give company to Jadeja till the end. Singles and doubles can actually do the job for India. A big over for Windies because Kohli’s gone but it’s done yet.

Wow!

What a cover drive from Shardul. He’s off the mark with a four.

WOAH! Kohli departs!

Keemo Paul is the man! Kohli goes for the push outside off-stump but drags the ball to the stumps. Big, big wicket. Kohli b Paul 85.

After 46 overs,India 286/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 85 , Ravindra Jadeja 29)

The pressure is released with Jadeja’s boundary in the second over. Both batsmen knew they only need singles or doubles from the rest of the deliveries. Jadeja goes for another boundary with a pull but the deep fielder does well to stop the ball.

Width over from Cottrell and Jadeja makes use of it. Smashes the ball towards the extra-cover for a four.

After 45 overs,India 278/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 83 , Ravindra Jadeja 23)

Kohli goes for the drive in the first ball but gets beaten. The ball comes back in but not enough to hit the stumps. They needed the boundary in the over and Jadeja gets it. Holder is done with his quota of overs. 10 overs, 63 runs and one wicket.

Short from Holder and Jadeja is up to the task. Pulls it towards the deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

After 44 overs,India 270/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 81 , Ravindra Jadeja 17)

Smart cricket from Kohli and Jadeja. They got the runs in the previous over so both were happy with singles and doubles from Cottrell’s six balls. Five singles and a double from the over. Kohli moves into 80s. The required run rate is just above 7.5.

After 43 overs,India 263/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 78 , Ravindra Jadeja 13)

Khary Pierre is into the attack and his over is a costly one. Kohli manufactures a boundary on the off-side and then goes for the gap on the leg-side, which also results in a four. 10 runs from the over.

Kohli and his wrists does the trick. What a hit that is. Sees the gap on the leg side and places it perfectly for a boundary.

Nicely done by Kohli! Short from Pierre and Kohli opens the face of the bat and guides the ball towards the third man for a boundary.

After 42 overs,India 253/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 69 , Ravindra Jadeja 12)

Holder is back into the attack. Both batsmen are not trying for the big shots yet. Both of them are quick runners between the wickets so they are making use of the field. Kohli probably realised he can’t lose another wicket. Five singles in the over.

After 41 overs,India 248/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 67 , Ravindra Jadeja 9)

The second ball from Cottrell is down the leg and it beats the wicket-keeper. So bonus runs for India. In the third ball, Jadeja calls for a quick single and Kohli responds to the call. Cottrell runs to the ball and comes up with a footballer’s kick but the ball misses the stumps. If that had hit stumps then Kohli would’ve walking back to the pavilion. Five wides and five singles from the over.

After 40 overs,India 237/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 64 , Ravindra Jadeja 6)

Good over from Alzarri Joseph. A wicket always slows things and this over results in only five singles. The run rate is around eight which is not too bad. One or two good overs can make things more easier for India.

After 39 overs,India 232/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 61 , Ravindra Jadeja 4)

Superb captaincy from Pollard to bring back Cottrell who does justice to the call by picking the wicket of Jadhav. The Sheldon Cottrell salute comes up and even the crowd joins him in support. Not sure if Jadhav will play the next series. Jadeja sends the last ball to the fine leg boundary for a four.

Make that three wickets in 40 minutes and the entire middle order is wiped out. Jadhav had no footwork anywhere, and bowled. India in deep trouble and Kohli is starting to run out of partners. Never mind the dew.

BOWLED!

Kedar Jadhav walks back to the pavilion. The ball from Cottrell nips back in and it shatters the stumps through the gates. Jadhav is in shock. Kedar Jadhav b Cottrell 9(10).

Full toss and on the leg-stump from Cottrell. Kohli finds the gap on the leg-side with a flick.

After 38 overs,India 221/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 55 , Kedar Jadhav 8)

Good over for India. 11 runs from the over. Kohli will know that he can’t leave it too late to up the ante. A boundary a over will make it better as the match progresses into death overs.

West Indies are having a hard time on the field. Another misfield and it results in a boundary. This time, the culprit is Holder at third man.

Bad delivery from Joseph. Down the leg-side and Kohli flicks it for a boundary.

After 37 overs,India 210/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 50 , Kedar Jadhav 3)

Kohli will make Jadhav run hard. He will push his partner to his limits and Jadhav has to be ready for it. A double and two singles from the over. Kohli wants a single off the last ball but Jadhav refuses the call. And Kohli is not too happy about it.

The skipper reaches the half-century mark in 51 balls but he knows the job’s not done so he’s not celebrating.

After 36 overs,India 206/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 47 , Kedar Jadhav 2)

Holder to bowl his 8th over of the day. There will be no change in how Kohli approaches this chase. If there’s a chance to hit the ball, he will go for it. The question is who will give him the company till the end. The skipper goes for a quick single but the fielder at off collects the ball and releases it no time. It’s a direct hit but replays shows Jadhav just manages to cross the line in time.

After 36 overs,India 206/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 47 , Kedar Jadhav 2)

Holder to bowl his 8th over of the day. There will be no change in how Kohli approaches this chase. If there’s a chance to hit the ball, he will go for it. The question is who will give him the company till the end. The skipper goes for a quick single but the fielder at off collects the ball and releases it no time. It’s a direct hit but replays shows Jadhav just manages to cross the line in time.

Twist in the tale indeed. Both Iyer and Pant have departed in the 26 minutes between this and last update. Iyer with a half-hearted pull and Pant, well, a tad unlucky but he was being tied down on the off-side again. Which means sooner than later, he will get out. Kohli still in position for a masterclass chase.

After 35 overs,India 201/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 44 , )

West Indies are back into the game with three quick wickets. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant played so well in the series but in this ODI, the decider, both of them failed. Is Kohli feeling the pressure? His wicket could be the difference between winning and losing. A wicket, a four and two singles from Paul’s over.

Virat Kohli last five scores while chasing against West Indies in ODIs:

114*, 33*, 107, 140, 111*

He has to finish it off for India today.

Another Indian wicket! 

Pant plays away from the body but the ball hits his bat and crashes on to the stumps. Keemo Paul strikes! Pant b Keemo Paul 7(6).

Short and down the leg as Pant pushes the ball to fine-leg for a boundary.

After 34 overs,India 195/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 43 , Rishabh Pant (W) 2)

Two glorious drives from Kohli and the new batsman Rishabh Pant but only one results in a boundary. The fuller deliveries from Holder is not doing enough. Maybe he should also look to bowl short like Paul and Joseph. Three singles and a four from the over.

Virat Kohli has now completed 13,000 runs in List-A cricket at the average of 58.30.

Oh what a shot! 

The timing on the straight drive is brilliant. Kohli gets another boundary.

After 33 overs,India 188/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 38 , Rishabh Pant (W) 0)

Another good over for the Windies. Both Joseph and Paul reaping benefits for bowling short. Iyer should’ve showed some patience. He should’ve spotted the fielder at square. So a four and a wicket from the over.

GONE!

Another wicket for the Windies. Short ball from Keemo Paul. Iyer goes for the pull but finds the fielder at deep square leg. Good low catch by Joseph. Shreyas Iyer c Alzarri Joseph b Keemo Paul 7(7).

Shreyas Iyer makes room for himself and reaches for a short and wide ball. The ball takes the edge and runs away to the boundary.

After 32 overs,India 184/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 38 , Shreyas Iyer 3)

Easy for Kohli to predict Joseph’s length and he punishes him for two boundaries on the leg-side. There’s a big gap in the mid wicket region and Kohli saw that and made sure he gets his runs from that region. 12 runs from the over.

Another one!

Similar kind of shot from Kohli, only this time the power is bit too much. So good off the backfoot!

Short from Joseph and Kohli pulls the ball towards the mid-wicket region for a four!

After 31 overs,India 172/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 28 , Shreyas Iyer 1)

Chase continues. Good time for Pollard to get rid of the overs from spinners. Indians will not attack now considering they lost a wicket. However, the key wicket here is Kohli. He has done a Phd in chasing the scores down so Windies will need his wicket.

Shreyas Iyer’s last four ODI innings:

71, 65, 70, 53

Turn of fingers from Joseph doesn’t take pace off the ball and it rises on Rahul. That’s where he was deceived perhaps and ends up caught behind. Is there a twist in the tale? India still nearly halfway away and that middle order is shaky. It could come down to what Kohli does here.

After 30 overs,India 167/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 24 , Shreyas Iyer 0)

Credit to Alzarri Joseph for sticking with his strengths. The fuller deliveries are not his strong points so he kept bowling the back of the length balls. A bad shot from Rahul results in his fall. Shreyas Iyer is the new man in. A wicket and two runs from the over.

Rahul departs!

Short from Joseph and Rahul goes for the half-pull-half-flick shot. The ball takes the edge and falls into keeper’s gloves. Big breakthrough for the Windies. Rahul c Shai Hope b Alzarri Joseph 77(89).

After 29 overs,India 165/1 ( KL Rahul 76 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Roston Chase into the attack. The second ball is bit short and Kohli punches it through deep mid-wicket for a double. The fourth ball stays low it couldn’t beat Kohli’s defence. Two singles to end the over.

After 28 overs,India 161/1 ( KL Rahul 75 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Alzarri Joseph is back into the attack and he also goes for runs. The first four balls are back of the length and it resulted in three singles. For the fifth ball, he went full and Rahul smashes him for a six. Joseph might be wondering what else he can do more on this pitch.

Oh wow! 

Fuller length ball from Joseph and Rahul just flicks it to perfection. A six over deep square!

After 27 overs,India 152/1 ( KL Rahul 68 , Virat Kohli (C) 18)

Keemo Paul bowls his fifth of the day. He’s extracting good bounce but Indians are not threatened by the rising deliveries. The ball is coming to the bat and the batsmen are not getting beaten that often. A boundary and two singles from the over.

Rohit’s dismissal hasn’t really dented Indian scoring pace, maybe taken it a notch lower. Rahul’s seamless transition to the top means this total is easily within reach. Quite a handful dew out there but the commentators needn’t have worry to go down. A simple look at the gleaming green surface tells you how much dew there is.

Short and wide from Paul and Kohli cuts the ball away for a boundary.

After 26 overs,India 145/1 ( KL Rahul 67 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Holder continues. Just four runs from the over. No boundaries in the last two overs, which going by the innings standards, is quite a surprise. Kohli is already in double figures and he looks pumped to stay in the middle and take his team home.

After 25 overs,India 141/1 ( KL Rahul 65 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

Keemo Paul is into the attack now. Good one from the medium pacer as he gives away just two runs in the six balls. He’s capable of taking wickets in the middle overs so Pollard is making sure he bowls in this crucial period.

After 24 overs,India 139/1 ( KL Rahul 67 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

The margin of error is so less against these quality Indians batsmen. Anything drifting away or little too much on the leg is being taken for runs. That’s why bowlers like Holder need to stick to a plan and try their best to execute them. Again a boundary from the over.

The trademark Kohli cover drive! Room from Hoder and Kohli doesn’t miss such easy pickings.

After 23 overs,India 132/1 ( KL Rahul 63 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Good comeback from Pierre after giving away four runs off the first ball. Four singles from the rest of the deliveries. The required run-rate is touching seven but Indians will not worry about that now.

Another misfield, this time at covers and Rahul gets a boundary.

After 22 overs,India 124/1 ( KL Rahul 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Virat Kohli walks into the middle after Rohit Sharma’s fall. The stage is set for him to complete the chase and win the match for India. He has done it umpteen times so no reason why he wouldn’t do it today. A successful over for the Windies. A wicket for Holder and three singles.

Virat Kohli has a batting average of 11.00 at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack in ODIs – the lowest for him at any venue in the format. He needs to score 34 more runs to complete 13,000 runs in List-A cricket.

GONE!

Rohit departs after making 63. Goes for the cover-drive but edges the ball to the keeper. Holder gets the breakthrough. Rohit c Shai Hope b Holder 63(63).

After 21 overs,India 121/0 ( Rohit Sharma 63 , KL Rahul 55)

Rohit goes for a slog sweep in the first ball. The fielder in the deep runs in but doesn’t reach on time to catch the ball. It results in a single. After three singles, Rohit tries a similar shot, this time, he’s in full control of the hit and it fetches him a boundary.

Sweep from Rohit. The ball is in the air but it’s in the gap so no worries.

After 20 overs,India 113/0 ( Rohit Sharma 57 , KL Rahul 53)

Joseph continues. This over, he tries with short balls and bouncers but Indians are playing through the ground. They are not failing for the bait. Also, Joseph might want to up his pace. Three runs from the over.

After 19 overs,India 109/0 ( Rohit Sharma 55 , KL Rahul 51)

Again, the over from Pierre is a decent one but he’s not testing the batsmen enough. He needs get on with his variations and try for wickets. Only by taking wickets Windies can win the match and this series. A four and three singles from the over.

Pierre tosses the ball up and Rohit drives it through covers for a boundary.

After 18 overs,India 103/0 ( Rohit Sharma 50 , KL Rahul 50)

So both Indian batsmen have completed their half-centuries. They played the deliveries on merit and the runs came easily. Windies need to find a breakthrough. The bowlers are failing to put Indians under pressure. Just one single from Joseph’s over.

43rd half-century for Rohit Sharma. It comes in just 52 balls. He should convert this knock to a big one.

After 17 overs,India 102/0 ( Rohit Sharma 49 , KL Rahul 50)

Good over from Pierre. The Indians didn’t want to take any risk before the drinks so just two runs from the over. Another 100-run partnership between these two batsmen. Does anybody remember Shikhar Dhawan?

Half-century for KL Rahul. He gets it with a single on the on-side. He’s in great form in the series.

After 16 overs,India 100/0 ( Rohit Sharma 48 , KL Rahul 49)

Alzarri Joseph comes into the attack and this is also a boundary over for India. The Indian openers have taken the score past 100 in the 16th over. They have got the best start possible and can very well chase down 316.

Bounce from Alzarri Joseph and Rahul gets an edge and the ball races away to the bounary.

After 15 overs,India 91/0 ( Rohit Sharma 46 , KL Rahul 43)

Pierre is trying out with his variations, which is always a good sign but the Indians are watchful. The key here is to keep wickets and both these batsman have a tendency of making big partnership. So everything working as per the plan for Indians, A four and three singles from the over.

India have a 2-3 win/loss record while chasing a 300-plus target against West Indies in ODIs.

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma completed adding 1000-plus runs as a pair in ODIs today. They are the only pair currently who has 80-plus average among pairs which added atleast 1,000 runs in ODIs.

Rohit Sharma now holds the record of scoring most runs as an opener in a calendar year across formats, eclipsing Sanath Jayasuriya who amassed 2387 runs across formats in 1997.

Full from Pierre as Rohit kneels down and sweeps it through fine-leg.

After 14 overs,India 84/0 ( Rohit Sharma 40 , KL Rahul 42)

Roston Chase continues. Bit of turn for the off-spinner but nothing dangerous. The Indian openers are not going for big shots against the spinners yet. Just two runs from the over.

After 13 overs,India 82/0 ( Rohit Sharma 39 , KL Rahul 41)

Khary Pierre bowls his first over the day. Decent start from the left-arm spinner as he gives away five singles. For a change, there’s no boundary in the over. The last four overs resulted in at least one boundary.

After 12 overs,India 77/0 ( Rohit Sharma 37 , KL Rahul 38)

Spin comes in with the introduction of Roston Chase. Rohit goes for a casual drive in the first ball but gets beaten. After conceding the four in the third ball, Chase gives away three singles in the final three balls.

Short and wide from Chase and Rahul steps back and cuts it uppishly for a boundary.

After 11 overs,India 69/0 ( Rohit Sharma 35 , KL Rahul 32)

Paul checks his length is the second ball but Rahul does well to play through square. A misfield near the boundary results in two runs. The third ball is a good bouncer and Rahul is happy to let it go to the keeper. The last ball is a double from a leg-bye so 10 runs from the over.

KL Rahul-Rohit Sharma 50-plus stands in ODIs before today:

85, 136, 180, 189, 227

Fuller length from Keemo Paul and Rahul finds the gap on the off-side with a good-looking drive.

After 10 overs,India 59/0 ( Rohit Sharma 34 , KL Rahul 25)

Cottrell is varying his pace but needs to bowl bit tighter. The fourth ball is slower one and he targets Rohit’s pads but the batsman brings his bat down in time to avoid a LBW. After conceding a four, he gives away just two singles.

50 up and a cracking start for India. The openers have come out knowing they want to attack the new ball, setting up a base for when dew becomes prominent. Rahul-Rohit enjoying immense success at the top could be potentially worrying for the absent Shikhar Dhawan if it already isn’t.

Lovely from Rohit! 

Room on the off-side by Cottrell and the Rohit elegantly cuts for a boundary.

After 9 overs,India 53/0 ( Rohit Sharma 29 , KL Rahul 24)

Rahul doesn’t play the second ball because he’s not ready but the bowler gets the message at the last second. Luckily, the ball doesn’t hit the stumps else Windies would’ve claimed a wicket. A four and two singles from the over.

Down the leg from Keemo Paul and Rahul flicks it through fine-leg. A bad delivery to start the over with.

After 8 overs,India 47/0 ( Rohit Sharma 28 , KL Rahul 19)

Change of ends for Cottrell. He pitches the first ball up and Rohit takes the aerial route over covers. The timings is off but the ball falls in no man’s land and the batsmen take two runs. Three dots and single to end the over.

After 7 overs,India 43/0 ( Rohit Sharma 25 , KL Rahul 18)

Keemo Paul into the attack. Decent start from the medium pacer. Not giving enough room to the batsmen to flex their muscles. The fifth ball is down the leg and Rahul pushes it through mid-wicket for a double. The last one should’ve been a dot but Chase’s misfield results in four runs.

A terrible misfield from Chase at mid-on and Rahul gets a boundary. That didn’t look good at all.

After 6 overs,India 36/0 ( Rohit Sharma 24 , KL Rahul 12)

Again, the boundaries are coming easily for the Indians. Holder is straying in his line and length and he’s getting duly punished. Once these Indian openers gets going, it will be difficult to stop them. Like how they did it in the previous ODI.

Shot from Rahul! 

Width on offer from Holder and Rahul gets on top of it with a punch through the point region.

Length ball on the pads and Rohit flicks it on the leg-side for a boundary.

After 5 overs,India 26/0 ( Rohit Sharma 19 , KL Rahul 7)

Just one run from Cottrell’s third over. Rahul takes a single in the third ball and then Rohit gets an absolute beauty of a ball from Cottrell. A off-cutter that beats Rohit completely. He gets an edge off the final ball, which is a slower one but it falls just ahead of the keeper.

After 4 overs,India 25/0 ( Rohit Sharma 19 , KL Rahul 6)

Rohit is looking dangerous and that’s never a good news for India’s opponents. After not scoring in the first over, Rohit takes the attack to the Windies pacers and he already smashed three fours and a six. He knows the chase will be a tough one so he’s not wasting any bad balls. Ten runs from Holder’s over.

Short and wide from Holder and Rohit beats the point fielder for another boundary.

What a shot!

Rohit launches a length ball over mid-wicket for a maximum!

After 3 overs,India 15/0 ( Rohit Sharma 9 , KL Rahul 6)

Good over for India. Two bad deliveries from Cottrell to Rohit and the opener punishes them. In the fifth ball, Rahul goes for the double after guiding the ball to backward point. Good fielding effort saves two runs for the Windies. So a total of 10 runs from the over.

Rohit Sharma has a batting average of 52.50 in the 10 bilateral ODI series deciders.

One more! 

Rohit charges down the track and reaches for the ball, which is wide of off-stump. He beats the point fielder for a four.

Rohit is off the mark. Full-toss and the opener finds the gap in the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

After 2 overs,India 4/0 ( Rohit Sharma 0 , KL Rahul 4)

Good return from Holder after conceding boundary in his first ball. He checks his length, and bowls in the good areas. Rahul is solid in his defence and doesn’t try anything fancy in the rest of the deliveries.

Holder’s first delivery is on the pads and Rahul flicks it through square-leg for India’s first boundary.

After 1 overs,India 0/0 ( Rohit Sharma 0 , KL Rahul 0)

Sheldon Cottrell starts off a maiden first over. The left-arm pacer sticks to bowling fuller-length deliveries and Rohit didn’t want to take any risks in the first over. As usual, he’s watchful and he will take his time in the middle.

118 runs from the last 10 overs. Absolute carnage from Pollard and Pooran. Both of them deserved three-figure milestones, but it wasn’t to be. Never mind, West Indies have notched up 300-plus which looked impossible at one stage when they were four down after Hetmyer got down. This is going to be a challenging total for India, especially if the top order doesn’t get going. Intense chase coming up!

After 50 overs,West Indies 315/5 ( Kieron Pollard (C) 74 , Jason Holder 7)

Mighty finish by the West Indies! Pollard with couple of big hits in the final over off Shami to garner 16 runs helping his side to just about par score. Despite some sensational hitting in the backend of the innings, Indian bowlers have done exteremely well to keep Windies down to 315. The target is well within India’s reach, West Indies bowlers will have to battle dew to keep the Indian batting quiet. Join us for the reply…

SIX! Back-to-back maximums. This is even better. Just half tap and Pollard has generated all the power from the bottom hand sending the ball soaring over the straight boundary. Spectacular hit.

SIX! Full ball by Shami and Pollard isn’t sparing them. Brings the brute force into play again and slams it down the ground for a biggie. Effortless…

After 49 overs,West Indies 299/5 ( Kieron Pollard (C) 60 , Jason Holder 5)

Saini bowls the penultimate Pollard with the massive hits brings West Indies on the cusp of 300, five overs ago it didn’t look possible, now they are on 299 with an over left to play. Saini’s over costs 16 and he ends with 58 runs along with two wickets from his 10 overs in his debut game in ODIs.

SIX! Saini once again bowling the high full toss and it has been walloped over deep mid for a sixer. Pollard is on the carnage.

FIFTY! Crashed! Pollard clobbers this wide of long-off for four and there is was nothing really the fielder could do. This has been a terrific half-century by Pollard

FOUR! Full toss and that’s something Pollard will gleefully accept.  He drags it from way outside off to wide long on.

After 48 overs,West Indies 283/5 ( Kieron Pollard (C) 45 , Jason Holder 4)

Thakur does manage to take the wicket of the dangerous Nicholas Pooran but ends up still going for 21 runs. Pooran hit some eye pleasing shots before departing and then Holder got a top edge to the boundary off his first ball. Windies now in real chance of going past the 300-run mark.

FOUR! Jason Holder goes for the pull but gets a thick top edge that flies over the vacant slip region. One bounce over the third man fence. Unlucky for Thakur.

OUT! Thakur gets his man! Slower short ball from round the stumps that was digged in short and Pooran skipping down the track is only able to slice it to Jadeja runs in from  at deep point to snaffle it. End of a breathtaking innings from Pooran.

Pooran c Jadeja b SN Thakur 89(64)

SIX! Oh my goodness! Pooran, you beauty! Typical Caribbean flair on display here. Thakur tried to curb the room by directing it into his pads and Pooran then gets the front leg out of the way to unleash the most gorgerous of whiplashes to send the ball over long leg fence for a maximum. WOW!

FOUR! Pooran has once again opened the face of the bat and sliced it over point for a boundary. He converted it into a full toss by staying put and carved it away.

FOUR! Pant doesn’t hold on… by no strecth it was an easy chance as the ball flew off the edge, Pant only parried the ball towards the third man fence.

After 47 overs,West Indies 262/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 75 , Kieron Pollard (C) 45)

Shami does well to keep it down to 10 runs only especially after being struck for a six by Pollard off the very first ball of the over followed by four singles.

SIX! Pollard has dragged this short ball from outside off over deep square leg for a six! Enviable power from the big man! Not too much Shami can do about.

After 46 overs,West Indies 252/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 73 , Kieron Pollard (C) 37)

Three absolutely captivating shots from Nicholas Pooran to the boundary off Saini’s over as West Indies race past the 250-run mark. Pollard will be on strike for the first ball of the next over with a single that takes the total number of runs from the over to 14.

FOUR! Jeez! That’s some shot! This is shot from Pooran! Wow, just wow! Short ball outside off from Saini and Pooran leaps in the air and has played a proper cross court forehand that would make a Gael Monfils proud! He rolled the wrists despite taking the ball from head high and hits it to deep mid wicket fence.

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! Pooran walks across the stumps and slaps this short ball into the gap between deep midwicket and deep square!

FOUR! Pooran starts the over with a boundary. He has struck this hard down ground and beat the long-on fielder! Not the best length to bowl by Saini.

Kuldeep Yadav’s performance this series:

1st ODI – 0/45
2nd ODI – 3/52
3rd ODI – 0/67

This partnership has done a fabulous rescue job for West Indies. Even so, it is a matter of how many they can get in the last 10 overs. Anything below 300 will be fodder for India. And just as I type this, Pollard smacks Kuldeep down the ground. If ever there was a signal of intent…

After 44 overs,West Indies 234/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 58 , Kieron Pollard (C) 34)

Shami is back into the attack for what is likely to be his final spell. Shami will have two overs left after this likewise for Saini and Thakur. So it is going to be all pace from here on. Four singles off the first five balls and then Pooran gives another reason as to why he is so highly rated by carving a attempted yorker to third man boundary. A player of supreme skills.

FOUR! Very well executed by Pooran! The batsmen preempted the yorker length delivery and brought in his smarts to clear the front leg out of the way and taking the ball on the full and slicing the ball fine of the short third man. Precision was the key there.

After 43 overs,West Indies 226/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 52 , Kieron Pollard (C) 32)

Kuldeep’s final over is carted for two sixes – one each for Pollard and Pooran – the latter bringing his half-century with it as well. Kuldeep looks deflated with the pounding he has taken in his last three overs. He ends with the figures of 10-0-67-0.

FIFTY! SIX! Pooran’s chance to take toll of the full length delivery from Kuldeep. He thrashes it deep over long off for six. Pooran also raises his half-century with that boundary.

SIX! Nope! Cannot bowl there! Kuldeep tosses it up, very full, right into Pollard’s hitting range and the WI skipper launches it straight down the ground for a biggie. Could do it all day.

After 42 overs,West Indies 210/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 44 , Kieron Pollard (C) 24)

Saini comes back into the attack. There was slight hold up in play with some issues behind the sight screen. Saini gets the yorker wrong fractionally and when the margins are fine you end up paying for Saini it costs four runs to his team. However his remainder of the over isn’t bad, so it is just six runs from the over.

FOUR! Saini misses the yorker by few inches and Pollard is able to take it on the full and flicks it to backward square leg fence.

After 41 overs,West Indies 204/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 43 , Kieron Pollard (C) 19)

Kuldeep is back on. He begins with a full ball on Pooran’s pads spinning it back in, the left-hander clips a single to  cow corner. Kuldeep v Pollard who is donning a floppy hat. Kuldeep this time stays over the wicket and the length is much shorter this time around, he is also bowling googlies asking Pollard to manufacture a shot if he pleases to score runs, he hands back and jabs it off the backfoot for a single past covers for a single. Kuldeep can consider himself unfortunate for the boundary that came off Pooran’s edge, but a much better over from the leggie. Seven came from it as West Indies go past the 200-run mark.

FOUR! Leg break o off stump, turning away from Pooran, it was just a tad short and the southpaw goes for the cut, he gets a thick outside edge as the ball runs away to third man fence.

After 40 overs,West Indies 197/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 37 , Kieron Pollard (C) 18)

Pooran once again displaying his range in shot making and the talent he possesses with a six off the first ball of Thakur’s over. A good looking drive through covers helps him add two more to the the total. Thakur holds it short of a length to Pollard who is currently happy to not play at. Windies just shy of 200 at the end of 40 overs, remember 320 is a par score at Cuttack. The dew is a decisive factor under lights.

SIX! What a shot! Pooran charges down to Shardul Thakur and belts a back of a length delivery down the ground. The timing on the shot was yet again sublime along with the power behind the shot! The ball sails over long off boundary for six.

After 39 overs,West Indies 188/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 28 , Kieron Pollard (C) 18)

Kuldeep is taken out of the attack and Shami is called back after Pollard struck the left-arm wristspinner for a couple of sixes. However, the ball keeps following Kuldeep in the field, especially at mid off. Kohli and Shami requires him to be a little more agile. Eight runs from the over.

FOUR! Shami pitches it up to Pooran, who leans nicely into the drive and places it to the right of Kuldeep Yadav at mid off whose dive ends in vain. Good shot!

After 38 overs,West Indies 180/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 22 , Kieron Pollard (C) 17)

Shardul Thakur sends down very tidy over. Pooran plays couple of crisp shots but he keeps finding the fielders. Pollard leaves the short delivery alone before he takes the single off the final ball to retain strike.

After 37 overs,West Indies 178/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 21 , Kieron Pollard (C) 16)

Pollard has spent enough time in the middle to get his eye in and as he now makes use of his long levers to hit the ball outside the park. He takes Kuldeep on and strikes a couple of sixes. It is also the need of the hour for the West Indies. Kuldeep’s over costs 13 runs.

SIX! There he goes again! Kuldeep tosses it up once again and Pollard slices it over covers this time! Enough distance on this one too.

SIX! Pollard power! Nowhere near the middle of the bat, neither did he seemed to have covered the turn of the googly but Pollard has enough muscular force against Kuldeep’s floaty delivery to clear the straight boundary.

After 36 overs,West Indies 165/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 20 , Kieron Pollard (C) 4)

Thakur is back into the attack. Stifled appeal off the first ball of the over against Pollard but it looked like it was going down the leg side. After three singles, Pooran pulls hard but Rohit Sharma inside the ring does well to ensure it is a dot ball. A single to third man to finish the over. Only four runs came off it.

After 35 overs,West Indies 161/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 18 , Kieron Pollard (C) 2)

Jadeja delivers his final over. He ends with the figures of 10-0-54-1, leaking another boundary in the final over as Pooran slashes it past point. Nine came from it.

FOUR! Outstanding shot from Pooran! Nimble footwork from the left-hander, he sees the ball that is dropped slightly short and he goes deep in his crease and cuts it behind backward point for a boundary.

After 34 overs,West Indies 153/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 12 , Kieron Pollard (C) 0)

Saini with a big toe crusher to Pollard followed by a leg before appeal, the umpire denies it but Kohli wants to review it. Unsuccessful referral as the impact was outside the line. India lose their review. The West Indies physio comes out to tend to Pollard’s bruised toe. Another really good over from Saini, just three runs from it, including one leg bye.

After 33 overs,West Indies 150/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 10 , Kieron Pollard (C) 0)

Windies keep picking off a boundary from Jadeja’s over but they aren’t still big overs, considering Jadeja holds it together for the remaining part of the over. West Indies bring the 150 up on the board.

FOUR! Pooran unfurls the reverse-sweep and plays it right in the gap. KL Rahul at point didn’t spot the ball but it wouldn’t have really mattered as it was hit fiercely and was pretty away from his reach

After 32 overs,West Indies 145/4 ( Nicholas Pooran 5 , Kieron Pollard (C) 0)

Sharp, fast and very tight over from Navdeep Saini. He nails the yorker to Chase and then unleashes fiery bouncers to West Indies skipper who has just walked into the middle. The debutant is breathing fire. West Indies have continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and they have also lost wickets in pairs which has added more pressure on the new batsmen who have to start from scratch.

Few too many shots from Hetmyer and he departed leaving the middle order exposed. And now Saini’s breakthrough has firmly put West Indies on the backfoot. Have really liked Saini this year in the few outings he has had for India. Still looks quite raw though. A lot of work needed behind the scenes, maybe another season of domestic cricket with Bharat Arun’s added finesse.

OUT! GONE! Navdeep Saini with a terrific yorker to clean up Roston Chase. Genuine pace from Saini. Straight and full, right at the base of the off stump and Chase was late to bring his bat down in time. This wicket will do a world of good to his confidence. He leaps in joy and celebrates with his teammates.

Roston Chase b Navdeep Saini 38(48)

After 31 overs,West Indies 143/3 ( Roston Chase 38 , Nicholas Pooran 4)

Jadeja comes in to bowl his eighth over. A couple of singles before Chase improvises to collect a boundary for the Windies. Six runs came from the over.

FOUR! Chase gets across and underneath the ball that was flat and used the pace of Jadeja to scoop it to fine leg boundary. Smart work.

After 30 overs,West Indies 137/3 ( Roston Chase 33 , Nicholas Pooran 3)

Successful over for India! Saini will delighted to pick his first wicket. The extra pace of Saini and with the short-ish ball targetted on Hetmyer’s body he was able to send Hetmyer packing. Six runs and a wicket from the over.

OUT! Hetmyer’s gone and India can breathe a sigh of relief! Saini has his first ODI wicket. Pacy short ball by Saini and Hetmyer who was riding his luck in last couple of overs runs out if it as he pulls a ball high in the air to fine leg fielder.

Hetmyer c Kuldeep Yadav b Navdeep Saini 37(33)

After 29 overs,West Indies 131/2 ( Roston Chase 30 , Shimron Hetmyer 37)

Kohli turns to Kuldeep after couple of expensive overs and the left-arm wrist-spinner is able to keep it down to two runs. Hetmyer living dangerously.

After 28 overs,West Indies 129/2 ( Roston Chase 29 , Shimron Hetmyer 36)

Thakur returns to the crease and he runs into Hetmyer who is looking to accelerate. He chances his shots and has the rub of green on couple of occasions as he earns a six and a boundary that on a different day would have been caught. Big over for the West Indies as they collect 14 runs from the over. (edited)

FOUR! Hetmyer rides his luck! Short ball and Hetmyer is onto the pull in a flash, gets a top edge that flies over the ‘keeper. One bounce and over the ropes.

SIX! Hetmyer has pulled this ball from outside off stump to square leg fence, where KL Rahul times his jump to perfection, gets both hands on the ball when his air borne and holds on as well but he was always going to fall on the other side of the fence. He even tried releasing the ball back in play as he realised he was tipping over but was just a touch late. Six for Hetmyer.

After 27 overs,West Indies 115/2 ( Roston Chase 27 , Shimron Hetmyer 24)

Alright then, West Indies identify that they need to up the ante and they are doing so as both Hetmyer and Chase hit a boundary each in this over. Jadeja’s over taken for 11 runs.

FOUR! Chase now collects a boundary. Super stroke in the sense that he created room to play this full delivery on the off side. Opened the face of the bat to get it through the gap.

FOUR! Lots of width to play with for Hetmyer as he frees his hands and smacks it flat back over the bowler’s head.

After 26 overs,West Indies 104/2 ( Roston Chase 21 , Shimron Hetmyer 19)

It was turning to be another tidy over before Hetmyer smoked a six off the final ball off Kuldeep’s over making it a 10-run over. First signs off attack from West Indies in a while. They go past the 100-run mark.

SIX! Kuldeep tosses it up and Hetmyer needs no second invitation. He clears the front leg and tonks it over deep mid wicket for a maximum.

After 25 overs,West Indies 94/2 ( Roston Chase 19 , Shimron Hetmyer 11)

Jadeja pushes onto Hetmyer’s legs and he nudges down to fine leg fence for a couple of runs. Hetmyer, Chase add three more singles off the second half of the over. India in firm control at the halfway stage. Windies need a big partnership and also need to step on the run rate with 320 being the par score on this pitch, they can’t leave it too late.

After 24 overs,West Indies 89/2 ( Roston Chase 18 , Shimron Hetmyer 7)

Kuldeep Yadav is recalled into the attack replacing Shami. Tidy start to his second spell, just two singles from it.

After 23 overs,West Indies 87/2 ( Roston Chase 17 , Shimron Hetmyer 6)

Chase after 26 balls earns his first boundary of his 27th delivery as he times one nicely off his backfoot. Four more runs came from the over, making it an eight-run over.

FOUR! Chase earns his first boundary. Jadeja bowls it flat and he had dropped it short too, Chase rocked back in his crease and punched it off the backfoot through mid wicket for a boundary.

After 22 overs,West Indies 79/2 ( Roston Chase 10 , Shimron Hetmyer 5)

Shami steams into to bowl his sixth over. Chase and Hetmyer start the over with a couple of singles before Shami lines up three dots before Chase pulls it to mid wicket for a brace. Four came from the over.

After 21 overs,West Indies 75/2 ( Roston Chase 7 , Shimron Hetmyer 4)

Jadeja continues. Hetmyer picks a two twos in the over after Chase collect a single early in the over. Five runs came off the over. Windies need a partnership going.

After 20 overs,West Indies 70/2 ( Roston Chase 6 , Shimron Hetmyer 0)

Shami has just got the knack of creating these moments of magic out of nowhere, doesn’t he? Kohli calls on his senior pacer and Shami gets the better of Shai Hope and India are now right on top. Shimron Hetmyer comes into bat at number 4. He drives one down the ground but the ball clatters into the stumps and non-striker’s end. Maiden wicket for Shami.

BOWLED’EM!

What a comeback for Mohammed Shami! He returns to the bowling crease and gets the big scalp of Shai Hope! Excellent length by Shami, pitched on off stump and just seemed to have seamed a little into the right-hander and through the defences of the in form Shai Hope.

Shai Hope b Shami 42(50)

After 19 overs,West Indies 70/1 ( Shai Hope (W) 42 , Roston Chase 6)

Jadeja slips in another quiet over. Just a single each for Chase and Hope. India spinners have successfully been able to tie a leash on the scoring.

After 18 overs,West Indies 68/1 ( Shai Hope (W) 41 , Roston Chase 5)

Chase isn’t looking really comfortable against Kuldeep’s bowling, he manages to pick up a couple of singles in the over along with Hope who too moves into the 40s with a single. Three came from it.

After 17 overs,West Indies 65/1 ( Shai Hope (W) 40 , Roston Chase 3)

Tidy over from Jadeja. He quickly completes his second over. An uneventful one, with just three singles coming from it. Has Windies missed the trick by sending Chase ahead of Hetmyer?

After 16 overs,West Indies 62/1 ( Shai Hope (W) 39 , Roston Chase 1)

Chase gets an early reprieve in his innings as Pant spills a chance. He is off the mark with a single, while Hope ends the over with a much-needed boundary as Kuldeep pays the price of bowling it a little too full.

FOUR! Kuldeep once again pitches it full and Shai Hope jams this outside off stump and thrashes it in the gap through covers

DROPPED! PANT DROPS CHASE FOR 0

Chance goes down as Rishabh Pant drops a catch behind the stumps. Kuldeep bowled a tossed up delivery from round the stumps, inviting the drive from Chase. He got a thin outside edge and Pant fluffs it the ball ricochetes off Pant’s pads onto the stumps and there is an inquiry for stumping but Chase had his foot grounded when the the lights in the stumps went up.

After 15 overs,West Indies 57/1 ( Shai Hope (W) 35 , )

Ravindra Jadeja is brought into the attack for the first time in the innings and the move has worked as Lewis perishes in pursuit of a big shot after relatively slow start. He chanced his luck against the left-arm spinner and ended up losing his wicket. Earlier in the over, Shai Hope completed 3,000 ODI runs.