A whirlwind series, a cricketing carnival, and a young Indian gloveman standing tall amidst it all – welcome to the thrilling ODI series that just concluded between India and West Indies. As we take a walk down this riveting series, the name Ishan Kishan echoes all around.
Unfolding a saga of stupendous cricket, Kishan delivered a hat trick of half-centuries – a scintillating 52 off 46 in the series opener at Barbados, a steady yet essential 55 in the second encounter, and then his pièce de résistance, a blistering 77 off 64 at the iconic Brian Lara Stadium, that left the West Indian bowlers bewildered.
His whirlwind knock in the decider, adorned with eight cracking fours and three massive sixes, steered India to a gargantuan 351/5. The Men in Blue then ran through the Windies, wrapping up a colossal 200-run victory.
With his spirited batting, Kishan etched his name alongside cricketing legends, becoming only the sixth Indian batter to hammer half-centuries in every match of a three-game bilateral series. Kris Srikkanth, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, MS Dhoni, and Shreyas Iyer – welcome the newest member to your elite club!
Further, in the archives of ODI cricket, India’s triumph in the third ODI by 200 runs is their second heftiest against West Indies and the largest in the Caribbean Isles. The 351/5 that India stacked up is their highest ODI total without an individual ton, Shubman Gill’s steady 85 being the top contribution.
And as the curtains fell on the series, India triumphed 2-1, extending their dominance over the West Indies to a record 13 consecutive bilateral ODI series wins. Now that’s what we call “owning the opposition!”
Stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya, while reflecting on the series win, called it a “special” victory, emphasizing the significance of soaking up the pressure and stepping up to challenges. “The boys showed great character. They enjoyed it as well, and remember folks, you don’t become a hero without handling pressure,” he quipped.
Now, cricket fans, brace yourselves as India and West Indies gear up for an electrifying five-match T20I series from August 3 to 13. Keep your popcorn ready; the cricketing feast isn’t over yet!
