India’s Top 3 provide a strong platform
The Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill were flawless with their starts to accumulate 29 runs in the first three overs. They further steered the team at a hefty rate.
Gill was eventually dismissed for a well compiled 64, courtesy of a Nicholas Pooran direct hit.
Dhawan continued the good work, and laid a strong foundation for the middle order batters.
Caribbean bowlers produce strong fightback
Three runs shy of a brilliant hundred, Dhawan was sent back to the pavilion by Gudakesh Motie.
Suryakumar Yadav (13) and Sanju Samson (12) could not contribute much in the middle-order. The visitors were reduced from 213/1 to 253/5 in a span of 10 overs.
However, the contributions of Deepak Hooda (27) and Axar Patel (21) helped India to post a total of 308 on the board.
West Indies start the chase on a strong note
Chasing a big total, West Indies lost Shai Hope early, but Mayers and Brooks steadied the ship for the home side. The duo kept on scoring runs at a brisk pace and were well on their course for a win.
Shardul Thakur again emerges as the partnership-breaker
Shardul Thakur provided double blow in the form of Mayers (75) and Brooks (46) and brought the Indian side back in the contest.
Although Romario Shepherd (39*) and Akeal Hosein (33*) showed a good fight, India prevailed by three runs in a nail-biting fixture.
Brief Scores:
India- 308/7 (50 overs)
Shikhar Dhawan 97, Shubman Gill 64;
Gudakesh Motie 2/54
West Indies- 305/6 (50 overs)
Kyle Mayers 75, Brandon King 54;
Shardul Thakur 2/54
Result: India won by 3 runs
Read: Jonathan Trott appointed as Afghanistan men’s head coach