WI vs IND | India Kickstart ODI Series With a Bang, Crush West Indies By Five Wickets

India recorded a convincing 5-wicket win in Barbados [AP]

India kicked off the three-match One Day International (ODI) series on a high note, securing a five-wicket victory over West Indies at Barbados's Kensington Oval on Thursday. Although the Caribbean side was bundled out for a modest 114, they made their Indian counterparts toil for every run, turning what appeared to be an easy chase into an intense showdown.

WI vs IND 1st ODI: Talking Points

Kishan shines while Gill & Suryakumar fail to get going

Chasing a paltry target of 115, India opted for a youthful opening pair in Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. However, their aspirations were dampened when Gill was sent back to the pavilion with just seven runs to his name, courtesy of Jayden Seals.

Arriving at number three, Suryakumar Yadav strived to stabilise the innings with a diligent 19-run knock from 25 balls, but his resistance was cut short when he fell lbw to Gudakesh Motie's spin.

Kishan stands tall amid unforeseen setbacks

Ishan Kishan hammered a blistering fifty [AP]

Kishan maintained his end with a steady flow of runs, ensuring the scoreboard kept moving. The team experienced a further dent when Hardik Pandya was run out at the non-striker's end for five runs, thanks to Yannic Cariah’s fielding.

Ravindra Jadeja came to the crease after Pandya's dismissal. Kishan, just after scoring a commendable half-century, fell victim to an ill-judged shot, leading to his dismissal off Motie's bowling after a well-made 52 off 46 balls with seven fours and a solitary six.

Sharma and Jadeja pull India across the finish line

Needing 21 more runs to win, the onus of leading India to victory fell on Jadeja and Shardul Thakur. However, Thakur's dismissal for a single run, resulting from Cariah's exceptional bowling and Athanaze's spectacular catch, left Indian fans holding their breaths.

Captain Rohit Sharma, who had earlier entrusted the chase to the younger brigade, was forced to don his batting gear. Sharma and Jadeja partnered effectively, ensuring there were no further hiccups as they guided the team to a well-earned victory by five wickets.

West Indies Innings: A String of Missteps

West Indies managed a paltry 114 [AP]

The West Indies' innings earlier in the match was a tale of missed opportunities and unforced errors. The West Indies suffered an early blow when Mayers, attempting a bold shot off Hardik Pandya, was caught by the Indian captain. This set the tone for the innings as Mukesh Kumar and Shardul Thakur joined the wicket-taking party, reducing the Windies to 45-3.

Captain Shai Hope, along with Hetmyer, tried to steady the innings, but their effort was undermined when the spin duo of Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav was unleashed. Jadeja and Yadav ran through the West Indies lineup, claiming seven wickets between them to bowl West Indies out for a measly 114.

Brief Scores

West Indies: 114 (23)
Shai Hope 43(45), Alick Athanaze 22 (18);
Kuldeep Yadav 4/6 (3), Ravindra Jadeja 3/37 (6)

India: 118-5 (22.5)
Ishan Kishan 52 (46), Suryakumar Yadav 19 (25);
Gudakesh Motie 2/26 (6.5), Jayden Seales 1/21 (4)

India won by five wickets.

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