West Indies v India, 3rd Test – 5 Memorable Moments

India beat West Indies by 237 runs in the third Test match of the series against West Indies in the inaugural match at the Darren Sammy National cricket stadium to seal the series 2-0 with one Test to go.

There was no play at all on the 3rd day due to rain. But India batted aggressively to post a comfortable target considering West Indies were to bat on the last day and the outfield wasn’t the fastest. They batted 9 overs on Day 5, to add 60 more runs to the total and gave 87 overs for the bowlers to get the 10 Windies wickets. Mohammad Shami & Co. were up to the task as they bowled out the hosts for just 108 runs in the second innings.

1. Virat Kohli at No.3:

The Indian skipper Virat Kohli who generally bats 2-down in the batting order changed his position in this match since they had decided to replace the regular No.3 Chateshwar Pujara with Rohit Sharma a player who can ‘change to course of a session with his batting’ ahead of this Test match. Rohit isn’t the best fit for No.3 and thus Kohli promoted himself up the order.

Alzarri Joseph who made his debut in the match impressed from the on-set with his pace and bowling mechanics. He surprised Kohli with one that bounced from length and he was walking back. The skipper had dual failures in the game as he returned with a single digit second inning score as well.

Also read – West Indies v India, 3rd Test: India Player Ratings

2. Wriddhiman Saha’s ton:

Indian wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha was impressive with the gloves from the start of the series, but there were some concerns over his capabilities with the bat. He silenced his critics in this match with the first overseas Test century by an Indian wicket-keeper.

The team was down at 126/5 in the first innings, and he along with Ravichandran Ashwin rescued India from the danger. The duo added 213 runs for the 6th wicket, which was the backbone of the Indian first innings total of 353.

3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a crack with the second new ball:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja were brought into the squad as a replacement of Umesh Yadav and Amit Mishra for this Test. In reply to India’s first-innings total, Windies looked well in contention with the scoreboard reading 202/3. But the story changed ever so quickly, once Kohli gave the second new ball to Bhuvneshwar and Jadeja.

Bhuvneshwar bowled a match-changing spell and completed a 5-wicket haul and Jadeja gave him good support creating pressure from the other end and also picked up a wicket himself. Bhuvi had bowling figures of 11.4-6-16-5 in the first innings which handed India a first-innings lead of 128 runs.

Also check out – West Indies v India 3rd Test, Day 5 – Statistical Highlights

4. Two decisions that went against India on Day 5:

It is quite absurd nowadays that the umpires make wrong decisions with so much technology and assistance around. In the morning session of Day 5, India was out with an intent of scoring some quick runs. Two balls into the day and umpire Nigel Long adjudged Rohit Sharma out leg-before-wicket off the bowling of Miguel Cummins. The showed there was an inside edge which the umpire failed to spot.

Four overs later, it was a rather bizarre incident as Saha was given out on a no-ball. Replays clearly showed that the bowler had overstepped but the third umpire did not intervene and Llong probably didn’t ask him to check if the front foot was fine.

5. Historic series win:

This is the first time India won two Tests in a series outside Asia since 2005 and is also the first time ever in the West Indies. India won the first Test match and the 3rd Test of the series, with the second Test ending up in an unlikely draw.

This is also the third biggest win for India outside Asia in terms of number of runs. India had won by 279 runs at Headingley in 1986 and by 272 runs in Auckland 1967-68. Its a great start for the new team and the new brand of cricket they wish to play. With a game to go, they definitely have a chance of bettering the scoreline.

Also read – West Indies v India 3rd Test – 5 Talking Points