Xtra Time Web Desk: In a dominating performance, India secured a resounding victory over West Indies in the first of the three-match ODI series held at the Kensington Oval on Thursday. Chasing a modest target of 115 runs, India comfortably reached the goal in just 18 overs with 5 wickets in hand.
Ishan Kishan was the star of the chase, scoring 52 runs off 46 balls, displaying an array of powerful shots with seven fours and a six. India’s senior players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, demoted themselves in the batting order to provide opportunities to the younger talent. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav contributed briefly, but it was Kishan’s performance that truly stood out.
Earlier, the Indian bowlers demonstrated their prowess by bundling out West Indies for a meager 114 runs in 23 overs. Shai Hope’s resilient knock of 70 runs was the highlight of the West Indies innings, as he showed a blend of aggression and precise shot selection. However, the Indian spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav proved too challenging for the West Indies batsmen to handle.
Jadeja’s tight and mesmerizing bowling earned him three crucial wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav displayed his artistry by picking up four wickets. Their relentless pressure on the West Indies batting lineup resulted in regular breakthroughs and prevented the hosts from playing their natural attacking game.
Overall, India’s emphatic win was powered by the outstanding performances of Ishan Kishan with the bat, and the spin maestros, Jadeja and Kuldeep, with their exceptional bowling skills. The victory gave India a vital 1-0 lead in the series, leaving West Indies in a must-win situation for the remaining matches.