Huge win for India * Defeats Windies by 200 runs to lift ODI series

Barbados, Aug 2:  An all-round show saw India decimate West Indies by 200 runs in the third and final ODI in Trinidad on Tuesday. The win also helped India close the series 2-1. A combined effort by Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson helped India post 351/5 after being invited to bat first. West Indies were no match with the bat in response as Mukesh Kumar rattled the top order, who finished with clinical figures reading 3/30 in seven overs. Shardul Thakur also was among the wickets, picking four scalps and conceding 37 runs in the 6.3 overs he bowled.

Hardik Pandya, India captain, said: It’s a special win. To be honest, I look forward to these kind of games as a captain where there is something on the line. This was more than an international game. We knew what was at stake and there would be a lot of disappointment if we lost. The boys showed great character. They enjoyed it as well, in pressure situations it’s important to enjoy it as well. Virat and Rohit are integral parts of the team. But it was important to rest them so that people like Ruturaj Gaikwad could get a chance. It was about giving opportunities to youngsters. I took it deep intentionally, wanted to have some time out in the middle. Had a great chat with Virat before the game, he wanted me to spend some time out in the middle and get used to the 50-over format. Really thankful for him to share that experience with me. Once you hit one ball and get into rhythm things are very different. The ball was doing just a bit. Scoring 350 was always crucial. When you have a total like that, batters chase the ball and if the luck is one your side, batters will nick it. Couple of really good catches by Gill. West Indies woke up very late and there was that partnership that took it to the 34th over. The game was kind of over in the powerplay itself. This was one of the nicest grounds we have played. Things can be better when we come to West Indies next time. Things like travel, hopefully the West Indies cricket board can take note and ensure that there are no hiccups. We don’t ask for luxury but we need some basic necessities taken care of. [On Rohit’s part in the series win] Rohit can have the full (trophy).

Ishan Kishan, Player of the Series, said, Not so happy with the finishing that I gave. I was supposed to score big after being set. That’s what my seniors told me, I should’ve stayed in and scored big. That’s what I’ll try next time, I’ll get set in the middle and score big. It’s important at this level to get set. It’s important to forget the last game and start from 0. I was thinking of taking it one ball at a time. [On Shubman Gill] He’s a tremendous player, I’ve seen how he middles the ball. Seeing him hitting it out of the middle gives me a lot of confidence as well. Always important to win at this level, the learnings from these games are important. We were looking to get early wickets, and didn’t let any ball go. Everyone is looking very positive. I’ve played a few tournaments here and I know how the wickets play here, not really thinking about the next T20 world cup. Focussing on the upcoming tournaments, you know how one tournament can change your life. We’re just focussing on that now.