INDvWI, 3rd ODI: India post 265 as Iyer scores 80
Shreyas Iyer led the way for Team India (265/10) with a brilliant 80-run knock in the third and final ODI versus the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Friday. India were reduced to 42/3 before Iyer and Pant added a valiant 110-run stand. Pant was dismissed for 56. India lost their way but were helped by Deepak Chahar and Washington Sundar.
How did the innings pan out?
India lost their front three batters cheaply to be pegged back. Iyer, who missed the first two ODIs, impressed with a solid knock. He was helped by Pant, who came in at number five. Alzarri Joseph was the chief architect for WI. He dismissed both Rohit and Kohli. Credit should go to Hayden Walsh for getting both set batters in Iyer and Pant.
A poor series for Kohli
A lot was expected out of Virat Kohli in the ODIs versus WI. However, the 33-year-old failed to shine. For the third successive match, Kohli was out cheaply. Kohli tried to flick Joseph's ball down the leg side and was caught behind. He didn't trouble the score, being out for a two-ball duck. Earlier, he managed scores of 8 and 18 respectively.
India lose Rohit and Dhawan cheaply
For the second successive match, Indian skipper Rohit failed to get going. He went for a drive away from his body as the ball rattled his stumps. Rohit managed 13 runs. He looked good for his three boundaries prior to that. Meanwhile, the returning Shikhar Dhawan perished for 10. He chased a wide and short ball to be caught. Both players played loose shots.
Unwanted record for India
No Indian batter has hit a century in the last 10 ODIs since KL Raul's 108 in the 2nd match against England in Pune last year. The last time India have had a longer century-less streak in ODIs was back in 2011 (12 ODIs).
A valiant stand on offer
Credit should go to Iyer and Pant for settling India's nerves after the side lost three early wickets. Iyer looked in good touch and made a statement with a valiant knock. He was patient and consumed 111 deliveries for his 80. Meanwhile, Pant played an aggressive knock of 56 from 54 balls. He hit six fours and a six.
Sundar and Chahar help India
India were reduced to 187/6 in 37.1 overs before Sundar and Chahar showed resistance. The duo added a fine fifty-plus stand, helping India get past 250. Chahar took the initiative and played a positive knock, getting crucial boundaries. Sundar was an able support.
