India vs Windies, 5th ODI - Who Said What

India romped home in the fifth and final ODI to seal yet another emphatic series win at home by 3-1. The visitors looked completely deflated after the thumping they received in Mumbai and crumbled completely under pressure. Rohit Sharma was once again at the centre stage of the paltry chase as he remained unbeaten on 63 along with Virat Kohli who scored 33 flawless runs.

After opting to bat first under overcast conditions and invited trouble for themselves. India’s opening bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah struck in the first overs of their respective spells. It went all downhill for the Caribbean side after that even as their best batsmen Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer couldn’t bail them out of the trouble as well. The skipper Jason Holder looked good in his brief stay but was left to do too much repair work.

Eventually, he also lost his patience and was dismissed on 25. Windies were bundled out for a paltry total of 104 runs in the 32nd over of the innings. Ravindra Jadeja picked four wickets for just 34 runs during his exceptional spell even as the trio of the pacers scalped five wickets together clearly dominating the opponent batsmen.

Clinical chase

Shikhar Dhawan once again failed to get going as he was sent back by Oshane Thomas for just six runs. Even Virat Kohli was reprieved when he was on 4 thanks to his counterpart Holder who dropped the catch of the same bowler. However, the Indian captain looked fluent then and unfurled some of the exquisite cover-drives and straight-drives. Rohit Sharma took his time before opening his arms.

He backed up his Mumbai’s 162-run knock with yet another half-century and remained unbeaten on 63 in the chase. However, even he got a chance after edging Oshane Thomas’ ball. The bowler had overstepped to deny himself a deserved wicket as he was bowling extremely well. Eventually, India sealed the chase in the 15th over itself to end the game inside 50 overs.

Man of the Match, Ravindra Jadeja said:

Enjoying my game at the moment. Whenever I come on the field, try and give my best. Try and take my opportunity with both hands. In that case, we weren’t sure if the ball pitched down the leg or on the line, that was the doubt in the mind (his successful review).

India captain and Man of the Series, Virat Kohli said:

Turned out to be that way. Because of our clinical performance, we were able to finish the game in a few hours. Credit to the bowling unit, pitching it in the right areas. Wanted to bowl first anyway. Blessing in disguise. Still had to execute our plans. Last both games have been clinical, very professional with ball and bat.

Change-room atmosphere is very important, and when you play like that, the energy is always good. Everyone wants to be part of it.

Two areas I can think of (World Cup plans): third seamer – Khaleel has been outstanding. Rayudu has also taken responsibility at No.4. God forbid anything happens to Bhuvi or Bumrah, good to have Khaleel who can come in and take wickets. Those two areas we’re looking at. And those two have been addressed.

To contribute as a captain is an added bonus. Won’t happen everytime. Awards are by-products of what you do on the field.

Windies captain, Jason Holder said:

Not the finish we were looking for. Lacked consistency in last couple of games. Didn’t bat well. 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. Needed to show more application. Happy with the youngsters. Hetmyer, Hope were bright spots. Even Oshane Thomas here, he showed he’s got something.

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