India vs West Indies, Highlights, 5th ODI at Thiruvananthapuram, Full Cricket Score: Hosts win by 9 wickets, claim series 3-1

Most runs in a five-match bilateral ODI series:  

515 – Fakhar Zaman v Zimbabwe, 2018
467 – Hamilton Masakadza v Kenya, 2009
453 – Virat Kohli v Windies, 2018*

Virat Kohli, India captain: Turned out to be that way.  Because of our clinical performance the game was finished early in the day. Wanted to bowl first anyway, we were surprised when they chose to bat first. Still had to execute our plans. Losing the toss was a blessing in disguise for us. Very happy when the team plays well, regardless of personal performance. When you play like that everyone is delighted and happy. Two areas third seamer – Khaleel has been outstanding and Rayudu doing well at number 4. God forbid anything to happens to Bhuvi or Bumrah but we have a third seamer ready.Those two areas were important. To contribute as a captain is an added bonus. Won’t happen everytime. Awards are by-products of what you do on the field.

Virat Kohli is the Man of the Series

Ravindra Jadeja is Man of the Match

Jadeja: I am enjoying my game at the moment. When I am on the field, I try and give by best. In that decision review case, the ball did not spin much and the ball went straight. We were not sure where the ball was pitched.

Jason Holder, Windies captain: Not the finish we were looking for. Lacked consistency in the last couple of games. Credit to the guys, admirable performance against India in India. Thought it would’ve been a good pitch. Their bowlers put the ball in the right areas. Lot of our dismissals were poor shots, wasn’t about the pitch.The pitch was on the slower side a bit need little bit more application. Relatively happy with the youngsters, still one or two things that we need to brush up on. Few bright spots, Hetymer and Shai Hope have been good even Oshane Thomas did well too.

India team has made massive statement with these two thumping victories in back to back games. Following Pune, their ego was hurt and they needed a performance like this to lift the spirits in the dressing room.

This is India’s eighth consecutive bilateral ODI series win against Windies. They have not lost an ODI series against them since 2007.

Largest victory margins for India by balls remaining in ODIs:

231 v Kenya, Bloemfontein, 2001

211 v Windies, Thiruvananthapuram, 2018*

187 v U.A.E., Perth, 2015

181 v East Africa, Leeds, 1975

After 14.5 overs,India 105/1 ( Rohit Sharma 63 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)

INDIA WIN BY NINE WICKETS! This has been some thrashing of the West Indies team by Virat Kohli and company, as they race away to the target with 35 overs and a delivery to spare! It’s a 3-1 series win for the Indians! Rohit fittingly collects the winning run, as he remains unbeaten on 63.

FOUR! 100 up for India, as Kohli slashes the ball behind square on the off-side! IND 103/1

After 14 overs,India 98/1 ( Rohit Sharma 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 28)

Allen’s introduced in the 14th over, with Rohit and Kohli collecting five singles off the over. Just one big hit is all that’s needed for India to win the series 3-1!

Fabian Allen brought into the attack in the 14th over.

Players with 100-plus sixes in ODIs in a country:

Brendon McCullum in New Zealand
MS Dhoni in India
Chris Gayle in West Indies
Martin Guptill in New Zealand
Rohit Sharma in India*

After 13 overs,India 93/1 ( Rohit Sharma 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 26)

Kohli gets a leading edge off the fourth delivery, but it lands well beyond the bowler’s reach, allowing the Indian skipper a single. Rohit shuffles down the pitch off the next delivery and smacks the ball straight over the bowler’s head for his fourth six. Nine off the over. India need just 12 to win now.

This is the third calendar year in which Rohit Sharma has scored 1,000-plus runs in ODIs (2013, 2017, 2018) as an opener. 

Only Tendulkar, Ganguly, Jayasuriya and Dilshan have scored 1,000-plus runs as openers in more calendar years than him.

SIX! Rohit shuffles down the track, and smacks the ball straight over the bowler’s head for another maximum! IND 92/1

Devendra Bishoo introduced into the attack ion the 13th over, although there is little to hope for at the moment from the visitors’ perspective.

After 12 overs,India 84/1 ( Rohit Sharma 50 , Virat Kohli (C) 25)

Rohit continues to plunder the Windies attack for runs, with Virat playing second fiddle at the other end, as he smacks a six and two fours off Paul’s second over, before collecting a single off the last ball to bring up his 37th ODI half-century.

FIFTY for Rohit Sharma — his 37th in one-day internationals! Brings up the milestone off 45 deliveries, collecting a single off the last ball of the 12th over to get there; IND 84/1

Despite the early wicket of Dhawan, so far it has been a smooth sailing for the Indian batting. Rohit and Virat are in exceptional touch and it is evident from their batsmanship. Now mere formalities left in this match.

SIX! Rohit’s in a real hurry it seems, as he tonks the ball straight over the bowler’s head, with the ball landing next to the sight screen! The umpires are forced to change the ball, which leads to a bit of a delay. IND 83/1

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Rohit, as he gets a thick top-edge that sends the ball running away to the third man fence! IND 75/1

FOUR! Another short-arm pull by Rohit, this time guiding the ball towards fine-leg! IND 71/1

After 11 overs,India 67/1 ( Rohit Sharma 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 24)

Holder into the attack. Rohit pulls towards square-leg to bring up the fifty-stand with a four, before smashing the ball over midwicket for a six off the very next ball, completing 200 sixes in ODI cricket. Five runs collected off the remaining deliveries, with 15 coming off Holder’s first over. India are starting to gallop towards the target now.

Least innings to 200 sixes in ODIs:

187 – ROHIT SHARMA*

195 – Shahid Afridi 

214 – AB de Villiers

228 – Brendon McCullum

241 – Chris Gayle

248 – MS Dhoni

343 – Sanath Jayasuriya

SIX! Smashed over the midwicket fence by Rohit off the very next delivery after the boundary! IND 62/1

Indian pairs with 4000+ partnership runs in ODIs:

Sourav Ganguly/Sachin Tendulkar 

Virender Sehwag/Sachin Tendulkar 

Rahul Dravid/Sourav Ganguly 

Rahul Dravid /Sachin Tendulkar 

Rohit Sharma/Shikhar Dhawan

Rohit Sharma/Virat Kohli*

Overall 12th pair to do so and the fastest among all – in 66 innings together.

FOUR! Rohit brings up the fifty-partnership for the second wicket, pulling a length ball towards the square-leg fence! Moreover, Holder seems to be in some sort of discomfort after bowling the delivery. IND 56/1

Skipper Jason Holder brings himself to the attack in the 11th over.

After 10 overs,India 52/1 ( Rohit Sharma 20 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Keemo Paul is introduced in the 10th over, with kohli collecting his fifth boundary off the third delivery, pushing the ball down the ground to bring up the team fifty. Five off the over.

FOUR! Another straight drive off Kohli’s bat, with the ball rolling away past Rohit towards the long on fence. Brings up the fifty for India! IND 52/1

Keemo Paul introduced into the attack in the final over of the first powerplay.

After 9 overs,India 47/1 ( Rohit Sharma 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)

Rohit responds to his captain’s call for a single in the second delivery after getting struck on his thigh. Kohli collects a brace two deliveries later following a push towards square leg. Kohli collects his fourth boundary with a gentle push down the ground off the penultimate delivery. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Just a gentle push down the ground, as Kohli collects his fourth boundary! IND 47/1

After 8 overs,India 40/1 ( Rohit Sharma 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 13)

Thomas starts off his fourth over with a wide. Rohit smacks the ball down the ground for a straight six a couple of deliveries later. Is hit on his helmet off the next ball after getting a leading edge off a pull. Eight off the over. Rohit nicks one to the keeper off the final delivery and begins walking off, but is called back after the umpire signals a no-ball. Rohit collects a double off the free hit. 10 runs off the over.

Rohit Sharma nicks one to the keeper off Thomas’s bowling, but umpire Anil Chaudhary signals a no-ball even before the bowler can start celebrating…

Oshane Thomas looks like an exciting prospect for Windies cricket. He is quick, can swing the ball both ways and has a deceptive short ball. With proper grooming he can make a lot of batsmen around the world uncomfortable.

SIX! Rohit presents the full face of his bat, and times his shot to perfection as he sends the ball sailing over long off to collect his first six! IND 38/1

Meanwhile, the scheduled interval will be taken in another 25 minutes. Should be a plenty of time for the Indians should Rohit and Kohli start attacking freely.

After 7 overs,India 30/1 ( Rohit Sharma 12 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Rohit’s surprised by the extra bounce generated by Roach in the third delivery of the over. Second maiden for the Barbadian pacer.

Dropping Kohli was the last thing Windies wanted. That was a sitter for the slip fielder. Unfortunate for young Thomas , who has bowled well but instead of getting the priced scalp of Kohli, he was hit for two  boundaries in that over following the missed opportunity. This is the harsh reality of international cricket.

After 6 overs,India 30/1 ( Rohit Sharma 12 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Rohit guides the ball behind square on the leg side to collect his second boundary, before pushing the ball down the ground for a single off the last ball. Five off the over.

FOUR! Rohit executes what the commentators describe as the ‘Nataraj shot’, going for the short-arm pull off a length ball from Thomas, picking the gap behind square on the leg side. IND 29/1

After 5 overs,India 25/1 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Rohit pushes a delivery aimed at his leg-stump towards midwicket, getting enough time to run a third. Three off Roach’s third over.

And Dhawan’s lean patch continues following the Asia Cup. He hasn’t scored a single half-century in his last five innings. Going into the three-match T20I series, which starts in Kolkata on November 4, these string of low scores will certainly keep him under pressure.

After 4 overs,India 22/1 ( Rohit Sharma 4 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Thomas nearly dismisses Kohli, as the Indian skipper pokes at a short-of-length ball outside off, straightto his WI counterpart at first slip. Holder though, allows the ball to brush past his palms, and run away to the third man fence. Kohli collects another boundary two balls later, this time off a cracking cover drive. Eight off the over.

FOUR! A more confident stroke from the Indian captain after the dropped chance two deliveries ago, as he drives through cover to collect his third boundary. IND 22/1

FOUR! A more confident stroke from the Indian captain after the dropped chance two deliveries ago, as he drives through cover to collect his third boundary. IND 22/1

FOUR! Holder drops his Indian counter-part at first slip, after Kohli pokes at a rising delivery from Thomas. IND 18/1

After 3 overs,India 14/1 ( Rohit Sharma 4 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Rohit continues to poke around defensively for the first five deliveries of Roach’s second over, before finally getting off the mark with a punch through cover that sends the ball all the way to the boundary rope.

Shikhar Dhawan only scored 112 from five innings in this ODI series – the least for him in an ODI series/tournament at home in which he played minimum five innings.

FOUR! Punched through cover by Rohit, as the India vice-captain gets off the mark off the 12th delivery that he faces. IND 14/1

After 2 overs,India 10/1 ( Rohit Sharma 0 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Dhawan starts the over with a slash over backward point for a boundary, and pushes the ball towards the leg side for a double three balls later. Thomas however, dismisses him almost exactly the way he did in Guwahati, as the southpaw drags the ball onto his stumps. Kohli walks out to the crease, and starts off with a boundary. 10 and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Kohli off the mark in style! Just a push down the ground, and he collects a boundary for himself! IND 10/1

Rohit Sharma needs to hit two more sixes to become the fastest batsman to hit 200 sixes in ODIs. Overall, he will become the seventh batsman to do it and second Indian after MS Dhoni.

BOWLED EM! “Action replay of Guwahati” goes on-air commentator Sunil Gavaskar, as Dhawan drags the ball onto his stumps to depart for six. IND 6/1

Dhawan b Thomas 6(5)

FOUR! Unlike Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan starts off with a bang, slashing a back-of-length ball from Thomas over backward point for a boundary! IND 4/0

Oshane Thomas bowls from the other end.

After 1 overs,India 0/0 ( Rohit Sharma 0 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Kemar Roach starts off with the ball for the visitors, and bowls a maiden, with Rohit opting to leave or poke around defensively.

Kemar Roach to bowl the first over.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma walk out to bat just 10 minutes after the end of West Indies’ innings. The Indian batting unit is expected to make short work of the 105-run target, given how they performed in the fourth one-dayer. West Indies need a divine intervention.

Ravindra Jadeja since his comeback in ODI cricket:

4/29, 0/50, 3/46, 0/31, 2/66, 0/49, 1/39, 4/34

It has been a thoroughly professional bowling effort by the Indians. Especially, Jadeja after being dropped in Pune had made a strong come back in Mumbai with ball. And now he has followed it up with another fruitful outing.

After 31.5 overs,West Indies 104 all out ( Devendra Bishoo 8 , )

The Indian bowling unit ran through the feeble Windies’ batting line up rather too easily. First it was the new-ball duo of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah sending down early jolts followed by Khaleel Ahmed and Ravindra Jadeja coming and striking almost immediately. Marlon Samuels and Jason Holder the only two batsmen were able to get into the 20s for the visitors with three batsmen getting out without scoring.

An easy win for India to take and wrap up the series. Join us for the chase that will start in about 10 minutes, remember it won’t be a long break as the Windies were dismissed inside 32 overs.

Lowest totals for Windies v India in ODIs:

104, Thiruvananthapuram, 2018*
121, Port of Spain, 1997
123, Kolkata, 1993
126, Perth, 1991

ALL OUT! Expectedly, Jadeja doesn’t take time to get the wicket of the final Windies’ batsman. Oshane Thomas is done by the quicker one that crashes into his pads, with the number 11 batsman on the backfoot. Windies fold for a low score of 104. India should be able to get done with this quickly.
 

Thomas lbw b Jadeja 0(2)

OUT! Length ball on the stumps, was in the slot to be smacked and Roach strikes it well. But Kedar Jadhav in the deep at long off leaps and takes a fine catch. he has been superb in the field today. Roach had struck it firmly with the momentum the ball was sailing over the fielder’s head, but Jadhav timed his jump to perfection to complete the catch. Jadeja has his third.

Roach c Kedar Jadhav b Jadeja 5(15)

After 31 overs,West Indies 102/8 ( Devendra Bishoo 7 , Kemar Roach 5)

Roach’s boundary takes Windies past the 100-run mark. Five runs off Kuldeep’s fifth over. How many more can they give themselves to bowl at?

FOUR! Roach gets down and plays the sweep from right front of his pads. He gets it fine and past the backward square leg for a boundary.

After 30 overs,West Indies 97/8 ( Devendra Bishoo 6 , Kemar Roach 1)

Jadeja comes on for his 9th over of the innings. Has two slips in place. He even places a leg slip for left-hander Bishoo. Three singles off the over.

After 29 overs,West Indies 94/8 ( Devendra Bishoo 4 , Kemar Roach 0)

A wicket-maiden for Kuldeep Yadav. He could so easily had two, but for ball tracking. Every Indian bowler used today has a wicket to show.

NOT OUT! Second time in his short spell, Kuldeep has been denied a wicket for some excessive spin. Again was pitched in line and was hitting Roach right in front of middle and off. Looked plumb from the naked eye, but the ball tracking showed the ball was missing the leg stump. Roach will continue to bat

OUT! Was only a matter of time with Keemo Paul against Kuldeep Yadav. Paul resisted the temptation of a big stroke for 17 deliveries, however as soon as he saw a tossed up delivery from Kuldeep he decided to go after it. He did get the height but not the distance. Rayudu runs in from long on, gets underneath the delivery to gobble up a comfortable catch.

K Paul c Rayudu b Kuldeep Yadav 5(18)

After 28 overs,West Indies 94/7 ( Keemo Paul 5 , Devendra Bishoo 4)

Khaleel continues. Paul presses forward and pushes it to sweeper cover for a single off the fourth ball. An overhead wide early in the over, makes it two off it.

It has been a meek surrender by the Windies batting line-up. No application whatsoever. They are already seven down and yet to reach a three-figure score. In hindsight, all the Indian bowlers have been on the mark. They have stuck to the gameplan and delivered the goods.

After 27 overs,West Indies 92/7 ( Keemo Paul 4 , Devendra Bishoo 4)

Paul takes the single off the third ball via an inside edge behind square. Kuldeep operates with two slips to Bishoo, who ends the over with a boundary. Windies into the 90s now.

FOUR! Bishoo gets down on his knee and stretches forward to take the delivery on the full and sweeps it to square leg fence.

After 26 overs,West Indies 87/7 ( Keemo Paul 3 , Devendra Bishoo 0)

Successful return over for Khaleel Ahmed. He has got the big wicket of Windies’ skipper. Their innings could come to an end real soon. Devendra Bishoo is new man in.

OUT! Khaleel Ahmed comes back into the attack and has the prized wicket of Jason Holder. Was looking to play the lofted shot on the up, but seems to check it at the last minute, ends up spooning it to mid off, where Jadhav runs in and dives forward to once again take a good catch. Windies could well be bundled out below 100 now.

J Holder c Kedar Jadhav b Khaleel Ahmed 25(33)

After 25 overs,West Indies 87/6 ( Jason Holder (C) 25 , Keemo Paul 3)

Holder plays a pretty inside out shot along the ground for a couple and with the field spread out Holder and Paul collect singles off the remaining deliveries. Seven off the over.

After 24 overs,West Indies 80/6 ( Jason Holder (C) 20 , Keemo Paul 1)

Jadeja delivers his eighth over. Seven runs including a confident drive to cover boundary from Holder off Jadeja’s over. He stands out in this line up.

After 23 overs,West Indies 73/6 ( Jason Holder (C) 13 , Keemo Paul 1)

What a start for Kuldeep Yadav. Lots of spin for the left-arm wrist spinner, so much so that turn has cost him a wicket. Paul survives by the skin of his teeth. Only an extra of the over.

NOT OUT! Kuldeep ~has a wicket in his first over~, turning a little too much. Pitched outside off, the impact was in line (off stump) however the ball would have gone on to clip the top of leg stump, according to ball-tracking. So Paul survives on Umpire’s call.

Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the attack

After 22 overs,West Indies 72/6 ( Jason Holder (C) 13 , Keemo Paul 1)

A boundary off the first ball of the over followed by couple of singles, including Keemo Paul’s first run. Paul loves to use the long handle, but today he might have to curb his natural instinct and accompany his skipper, if Windies have to bat 50 overs

FOUR! Holder collects four as Jadeja errs in line, drifted onto the pads and Holder gets it fine.

After 21 overs,West Indies 66/6 ( Jason Holder (C) 8 , )
 

Never a wise decision to chance Jadeja’s arm. Allen gets away with a single off the first ball as Jaddu misses the stumps at the non-striker’s end and Allen gets the single, but he doesn’t survive too long as Bumrah gets him with the short ball. Windies in deep trouble here.

DID YOU KNOW?

The last time when India lost two-plus matches in a bilateral ODI series was back in October, 2016 against New Zealand. Some domination this has been by Virat Kohli and company!

OUT! Another Windies batsman falling to the short ball. Bumrah slants the bouncer in and has Fabian Allen top edging it to fine leg. Kedar Jadhav does well to judge the catch.

F Allen c K Jadhav b J Bumrah 4 (11)

After 20 overs,West Indies 64/5 ( Jason Holder (C) 7 , Fabian Allen 3)

Two slips in place. Allen is able to get off strike with a single to third man. Lot of quick deliveries in Jadeja’s over. Only two off it.

After 19 overs,West Indies 62/5 ( Jason Holder (C) 6 , Fabian Allen 2)

Bumrah into the attack. Khaleel takes a wicket but removed from the attack. This is a strange policy from Kohli, applied it in the last ODI as well. Maybe to keep Khaleel for later overs but India should look to finish the innings as soon as possible.

Powell finally succumbs under pressure. Perhaps no the ideal shot to play under the present circumstances. The Windies tail is exposed and all depends on Holder now.

After 18 overs,West Indies 60/5 ( Jason Holder (C) 5 , Fabian Allen 1)

Jadeja slips in a quick over with Fabian Allen getting off the mark. Tidy over, just three off it.

After 17 overs,West Indies 57/5 ( Jason Holder (C) 3 , )

Khaleel has a wicket. Powell never really got going. Khaleel did a service to him by putting him out of his misery. Not something Holder is unfamiliar with. Windies on the backfoot.

OUT! Complete disarray for the Windies. Powell pulls the short ball to deep square leg and the West Indies have lost their top half inside 17 overs. Khaleel Ahmed gets his first wicket. Was dugged in short and Powell pulls it without getting any control whatsoever. Dhawan takes a simple catch.

Powell c Dhawan b Khaleel Ahmed 16(39)

Jadeja has earned that breakthrough. He had persisted with a wicket to wicket line against Hetmyer, gave him no freebies to get going and eventually trapped him right in front of the stumps. All the big guns are back in the hut and the Windies have found themselves in a big hole right now.

After 16 overs,West Indies 54/4 ( Rovman Powell 15 , Jason Holder (C) 1)

Windies tottering here. Another in form batsman dismissed cheaply. Again huge responsibility on the shoulders of skipper Jason Holder as he makes his way to the middle.

OUT! Loud appeal from India for a leg before shout. Umpire has turned it down, however, Jadeja is extremely confident and he has almost demanded a review for Kohli to take it. Dhoni has had his say as well. Kohli reviews it and tell you what. it has pitched in line and it is smashing the middle stump. Jadeja gets it right! Second wicket for him. Hetmyer gone! From round the wicket. Jadeja has pitched this on the leg stump and the ball has skid through, Hetmyer was on the backfoot expecting the ball to come with the angle, instead it spins back sharply.

S Hetmyer lbw b Jadeja 9(11)

After 15 overs,West Indies 51/3 ( Rovman Powell 14 , Shimron Hetmyer 8)

Fifty on the board for Windies in the 15th over. Going haven’t been smooth for the visitors, but they have scrapped past 50 having lost three key wickets.

After 14 overs,West Indies 47/3 ( Rovman Powell 11 , Shimron Hetmyer 7)

Jadeja continues. Appeal for a caught behind the leg side has been right turned down off the first delivery of the over. A single and a boundary of the over.

Marlon Samuels’ batting average in ODIs in 2018

Before India series: 33.00
After India series: 24.58

FOUR! Touch short and angling away from the batsman and Hetmyer slaps it away to cover boundary. Not a good delivery from Jadeja.

After 13 overs,West Indies 42/3 ( Rovman Powell 10 , Shimron Hetmyer 3)

Powell is simply scraping through here. Taken 28 balls to reach 10 runs. Couple of leading edges in the over that went in the air, but just not to the fielder. Five runs off the over.

After 12 overs,West Indies 37/3 ( Rovman Powell 8 , Shimron Hetmyer 1)

Hetmyer is in early. Jaddu striking in his second over itself with Samuels, the only batsman to get into double figures so far, departs

Most catches for India in ODIs:

156 – Mohammad Azharuddin
140 – Sachin Tendulkar
124 – Rahul Dravid
103 – Virat Kohli*
102 – Suresh Raina

OUT! Marlon Samuels was looking to hit just about every delivery from Ravindra Jadeja. Trying to dominate the spinner, but instead ends up his losing his wicket. He was looking drive the ball down the ground, but the delivery was held back a touch in length and it seemed to stop on him as well. Easy catch for Kohli at covers. A very untimely wicket for the Windies

Samuels c Kohli b Jadeja 24(38)

After 11 overs,West Indies 34/2 ( Rovman Powell 7 , Marlon Samuels 23)

Good comeback over for Khaleel Ahmed. Rovman almost ended up throwing his wicket, when he mistimed a shot in the air that fell just short of Rayudu at mid on. Four runs off the over.

After 10 overs,West Indies 30/2 ( Rovman Powell 5 , Marlon Samuels 22)

Another bowling change with Ravindra Jadeja replacing Jasprit Bumrah. He starts of with a maiden. Samuels tried to play the big shots couple of times, but he was unable to breakfree. Smart bowling from Jaddu.

Samuels, for the first time in this series, is making his presence felt with bat in hand. It is a show surface here and he is playing through the line and hitting over the in-field. Very sensitive approach. It is high time for the senior pro and he needs to put his hands up for the team here.

After 9 overs,West Indies 30/2 ( Rovman Powell 5 , Marlon Samuels 22)

Samuels takes the attack to Khaleel Ahmed in his first over itself. Collecting 12 off his first over. Samuels looking to get some runs in the first powerplay.

Did you know?

The Greenfield stadium has also hosted international football matches, the first of those took place in 2015 when India beat Afghanistan in the final of the SAFF Cup.

FOUR! Another shot with a lot of caribbean flair in it. He follows the six up with a flick over wide mid on for a boundary.

SIX! Big hit! Khaleel angles it across Samuels and despite the length being slightly short. Samuels has gone with the straight bat and his struck it over the bowler’s head for a maximum

Bowling change: Khaleel Ahmed introduced into the attack. Replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar

After 8 overs,West Indies 18/2 ( Rovman Powell 5 , Marlon Samuels 11)

Bumrah is still asking a lot of question with his accurate bowling, getting the ball to talk, especially with the one that has been slanted in and leaves the batsman. Powell plays a maiden.

After 7 overs,West Indies 18/2 ( Rovman Powell 5 , Marlon Samuels 11)

Couple of boundaries that should get Samuels going. Windies gradually begin to recover after the horrid start.

Two of top-three Windies batsman scoring a duck against India in an ODI:

at Toronto, 1999
at Port of Spain, 2017
at Thiruvananthapuram, 2018*

FOUR! Wow! That has been whipped through mid wicket for a boundary. Full on the off stump from Bhuvneshwar and Samuels walks across and despite his head falling over he is able to make great use of his wrists to collect back-to-back boundaries.

FOUR! Half-volley outside off by Bhuvneshwar and Samuels throws his hands at it. Dispatches it past mid off.

After 6 overs,West Indies 10/2 ( Rovman Powell 5 , Marlon Samuels 3)

The boundary the only scoring shot of the over. Calculate cricket from Powell and Samuels as they look to negate this opening spell from Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah.

FOUR! Nice shot! Rovman Powell plays the drive on the up. Lofts it over the infield for the first boundary of the innings.

Windies opening stands in this series:

19, 36, 25, 20, 1

Less said, the better!

After 5 overs,West Indies 6/2 ( Rovman Powell 1 , Marlon Samuels 3)

First signs of an attacking stroke from Samuels as he is able to get ball through covers for a couple. With the rain having been around the outfield is understanbly slow allowing only two runs.

In the middle-order Rovman Powell has struggled against spin in this series so far. Hence, the team management is taking a gamble by opening with him. Back in the Caribbean, Powell has a reputation of being a dasher against pacers. Some people even call him the next Andre Russell. Well, the conditions at this moment is not conducive for playing such an aggressive game. A conservative approach is the need of the hour now. This is going to be a stiff test of temperament for the youngster.

After 4 overs,West Indies 4/2 ( Rovman Powell 1 , Marlon Samuels 1)

India attack with three slips in place as Jasprit Bumrah runs in. Bumrah is able to get ample movement into Samuels and what is interesting is he is getting it really late. Samuels is able to pick a single off his pads off the last ball of the over.

After 3 overs,West Indies 3/2 ( Rovman Powell 1 , Marlon Samuels 0)

Holder must be already ruing his decision to bat first at the toss. Bhuvi and Bumrah both have been moving the ball around, quite a bit. Powell sees out a maiden from Kumar.

After 2 overs,West Indies 3/2 ( Rovman Powell 1 , Marlon Samuels 0)

India right on top. Both the new ball bowlers have picked in their first over itself.  Shai Hope had couple of spectacular matches early in the series has returned with a duck against his name in the final two games of the series. Powell and new man Samuels both haven’t been amongst runs in this series. Big opportunity for them. Bumrah’s successful over costs two runs.

As expected, Bhuvi-Bumrah thrive in these damp conditions. Wicket in their respective first overs for the duo. Early trouble for the Windies. Most importantly, their man in form Shai Hope is back in the hut. Remember, today they are playing one less batsman in order to accommodate Oshane Thomas in the XI.

Also, unfortunately for the Windies, Ashley Nurse, their best spinner in this series, has been ruled out of the entire tour due to an injury. Devendra Bishoo takes his place.

OUT! Celebrations for Bumrah!! He has cleaned up the in form Shai Hope for nought. Fabulous start for the Indians. The ball darts back in sharply from length and Hope, who was aiming to drive it through covers, was almost cut in half, only to get an inside edge on to his off stump. The line of the ball almost started from the tram line and kept coming into Hope.

Shai Hope b Bumrah 0(5)

After 1 over West Indies 1/1 (Rovman Powell 0, Shai Hope 0)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar with a typical new ball bowler’s dismissal in the first over of the final match of the series. Kumar didn’t get the lines right first up, sliding it down the leg side a couple of times, before pitching the ball where he would have liked. Shai Hope is in early.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs one more dismissal to complete 100 wickets in ODIs. On the other hand, Rovman Powell is opening for the first time in ODIs.

OUT! Hint of away movement and that has got Kieran Powell edging. Bhuvneshwar Kumar strikes with a superb delivery, pitched on good length and started leaving the left-hander. Powell was looking to drive it past mid off, gets a genuine edge to MS Dhoni, who dives to his left to pouch it safely. Great start for India!

K Powell c Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar 0(4)

Windies have won a crucial toss and batting first seems to be the ideal option here. Interestingly, Virat Kohli expects dew to play a “massive” role in this game. Though it has been an overcast day so far and there are chances of passing showers later in the game. At this point, there is a bit of dampness around, so expect some movement for the pacers upfront.

Alrighty! Very few gave Windies a chance against a formidable and world number two Indian side playing at home. Even the preluding Test series didn’t help the visitors’ case, but here we are in the final ODI of the series still without a winner.

Mood in the Indian camp seems to be joyful as amidst lot of happy faces come out wearing big smiles and why wouldn’t they be after the 224-run victory in the previous fixture. Windies have a new opening pair in Powells – Kieran and Rovam – make their way to the middle. The crowd at Trivandrum is abuzz and the venue looks fantastic. Keep ypur fingers crossed for the rain to stay away.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar with two slips gets us underway.

India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, K Khaleel Ahmed, Jasprit Bumrah

Windies XI: Kieran Powell, Shai Hope(w), Marlon Samuels, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder(c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas

Virat Kohli: We wanted to bowl first. I saw videos of yesterday and there would be a lot of dew. It has been overcast for the last few days and there would be something in the wicket. If it is damp then spinners will also come into play.

Jason Holder: We will bat first. Hopefully we will get runs on the board and put them under pressure. I think it it is about consistency.

TOSS: Jason Holder wins the toss in 5th ODI, Windies elect to bat.

“There’s a bit of dampness under the spinners, which means there will be a grip for spinners. Will not be a bad decision to bowl first. There will also be dew factor in the evening. But in Indian conditions, ball comes nicely onto the bat, so expect a few runs on the board, not in excess of 300,” says cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar in the pitch report.

MS Dhoni eyeing 10,000 run club

Dhoni is one run away from crossing the 10,000-run mark for India. He has 10, 173 runs to his name in ODIs but 174 of them have come batting for Asia XI.

Every captain yearns for a left-arm pacer in his side. But why? Here’s Vedam Jaishankar’s take on what Khaleel Ahmed adds to India’s pace bowling attack.

Windies fielding coach Nic Pothas said ahead of the final match that the visiting team is in India not just to compete, but also learn from their fancied opponents.

“They’re a great team to learn from. We don’t just play against India, we learn from them too. These are great opportunities when you come and play against teams of this quality,” Pothas said. Readl the full report here .

Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed impressed in Mumbai with three wickets in five overs. India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun was full of praise for Khaleel ahead of the decider.

“Khaleel looks a very exciting prospect. He is sharp and has the skills to do well in international cricket. He is a very exciting prospect,” said Arun. Click here for his full reaction.

India registered an emphatic 224-run over England at Mumbai in the 4th ODI to take a 2-1 lead in the series. India now aim to clinch the series with a win in the 5th ODI but Windies have shown with a draw in the 2nd and a win in the 3rd ODI that they are prepared to give India a run for their money. Here’s Sanipan Banerjee’s preview of the match.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE blog of the fifth ODI between India and West Indies from the Greenfields Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.