PUNE, India – Shai Hope with another calculated batting innings and Ashley Nurse with an explosive 40 off 22 balls helped the WINDIES to secure a 43-run victory over India in the 3rd One Day International in Pune and level the 5-match series 1-1.
India won the toss for the third consecutive time in the ODI series, this time they sent the WINDIES in to bat first. This, after getting a scare in the second match when the WINDIES chased down the target but unfortunately came up 1-run short, resulting in a tie.
Kieran Powell and Chandrapaul Hemraj once again started strong for the WINDIES. Hemraj went after Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. He carted them for 2-fours and 1-six for his 15 runs, while Powell had the exact 2-fours and 1-six for his 21, but Bumrah had the last laugh, as he accounted for both openers. WINDIES 38/2 in 8.1 overs. The scoring was slow to come by as the newly added Indian pace attack tried to wade deeper into the WINDIES batting order.
Centurion from the previous match Shai Hope started his calculated innings, tucking around the ball for quick singles and twos in the spread field-setting. Marlon Samuels made 9 which included 1 boundary, but despite single-digits in his batting card, his bowling would prove more useful later on in the match.
Once again Hope combined with Hetmyer and the world got another glimpse into the bright future of WINDIES cricket. The pair batted with comfort and synchronization, continuing their brilliant partnership from the 3rd ODI. Hetmyer flashed his bat to the bowlers without fear, playing the difficult Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal to all parts of the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, on his way to 2-fours and 3-sixes. But Kuldeep who has provided some trouble to Hetmyer during the tour, scalped his wicket once again, when Dhoni with his quick hands, took off the bails to stump Hetmyer for 37. The partnership was worth 56 runs. WINDIES 111/4.
Rovman Powell only lasted 4 runs before Kuldeep accounted for his wicket as well. Then came captain Jason Holder, like Hetmyer, he and Hope batted in tandem to rebuild the WINDIES innings. The Skipper and Hope added 76 runs together to carry the WINDIES total to something defendable, before Holder skied one high up and was caught for 32 off Kumar. Hope hung his head in despair just as the pair was inching closer to a 300 total. Kohli reintroduced Bumrah and he produced a beauty of a Yorker to light up Hope’s stumps shortly after. Shai Hope fell an agonizing 5-runs short of a second consecutive century. His innings included 6-fours and 3-sixes.
Just when it looked like the WINDIES would fold quickly, Ashley Nurse stepped to the crease and showed why he’s known as a big-hitting tailender. He smashed 4-fours and 2-sixes on his way to a blistering 40 off 22 balls before Bumrah trapped him LBW. Kemar Roach got in on the action as well, hitting 1-four and 1-six to finish on 15 not out and Obed McCoy on 0 not out.
The WINDIES 283/9 from 50 overs. Jasprit Bumrah had the best figures for India, taking 4/35 from his 10 overs.
Rohit Sharma’s batting woes continued for a second match, where he managed 2-fours before Holder bowled him for 8. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli set about to show why they’re ranked in the top-three batting order in the world. The pair added 79 runs before Dhawan who struck 5-fours on his way to 35 was LBW to Nurse.
Once again Kohli carried on his batting masterclass as he raced to another century. He was ably supported by Ambati Rayudu. After a 47-run partnership, Rayudu was bowled by Obed McCoy for 22. Rishabh Pant made a quick 24 runs in a 37-run contribution with Kohli before Nurse had him caught behind off a faint edge. India 172/4 after 31.1 overs.
Kohli remained in the middle determined to take his team to victory while wickets fell around him. Dhoni never troubled the scorers as Holder had him caught behind for 7 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar added 10 runs before McCoy had him caught for 10.
The game changer came in 42nd over when Holder introduced Marlon Samuels into the bowling attack. He got the wicket the WINDIES were desperately seeking, when he bowled Kohli for 107. The match was all but now victory for the WINDIES. Kemar Roach had Chahal caught for 3, while Samuels returned to clean up the Indian innings, taking the wickets of Khaleel Ahmed and Bumrah for 3 and 0 respectively.
India all out for 240 in 47.4 overs, handing the WINDIES victory by 43 runs and leveling the series 1-1. Samuels finished with the best bowling figures for the WINDIES with 3/12, McCoy had 2/38, Nurse 2/43 and Holder 2/46.
Shai Hope for his 95 runs was the Bankable Player of the Match, while Ashley Nurse for his 40 off 22 and 2/43 was the Player of the Match.
The fourth ODI takes place on October 29 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Can't believe that in a venue that is our 'home' we got smashed twice by this India side without Kohli yet this WI team managed to beat India in India with Kohli playing! I think if WI can get as close to full strength as possible for the World Cup next year they are capable of making the semi-finals if they play to their potential!
