India beat West Indies by 96 runs in the third ODI to complete a 3-0 whitewash. It was a comprehensive win, for the West Indies fell to reach 200 or bat their full quota of 50 overs in any of the ODIs in what turned out to be yet another story of despair and lack of application from their batters.
India won the toss and decided to bat to test different conditions. They brought in Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (both of whom have recovered from Covid-19), Deepak Chahar and Kuldeep Yadav. West Indies brought Hayden Walsh Jr for Akeal Hosein.
On a two-paced pitch, the West Indies bowlers began strongly. Alzarri Joseph provided early blows, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in his second over. Shikhar Dhawan, too, fell in the 10th over after scrapping for his 10 runs.
The arrival of Rishabh Pant improved scoring rate. Shreyas Iyer took his time, but once set, he played some beautiful shots. The duo added 110 in 20 overs before Pant was dismissed by Walsh for 56. Suryakumar Yadav fell cheaply, and when Walsh got Shreyas for 80, it looked that India might be in trouble.
But Washington Sundar (33) and Deepak Chahar (38) then added 53 for seventh wicket. Jason Holder picked the last four Indian wickets in his last three overs to finish with 4-34.
The West Indies chase started in familiar manner, as they again lost three wickets inside five overs. Chahar showed his worth with the new ball again, picking up two wickets in his third over. Barring the odd cameo, the West Indian batters never really threatened to take the match away.
Darren Bravo and Nicolas Pooran added 43 for fourth wicket before Prasidh Krishna dismissed Bravo. At one stage, West Indies were 82/7. Some late hitting from Odean Smith, who scored an 18-ball 36 with 3 fours and 3 sixes, took West Indies to 169.
Prasidh continued his good form and picked up 3-27 runs. His nine wickets in the series, for the cost of just 68 runs, earned him the Player of the Series award. Kuldeep, too, did well on his return to international cricket, taking two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj got three.
India 265 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 80; Jason Holder 4-34) beat West Indies 169 in 37.1 (Odean Smith 36; Prasidh Krishna 3-27) by 96 runs. Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer.
India won the series 3-0. Player of the Series: Prasidh Krishna.
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