Bowling first after winning the toss, India skittled out West Indies for a paltry 114 in 23 overs. They lost five wickets in the chase, but got home in 22.5 overs as Ishan Kishan, opening the innings, starred with 52 off 46 balls.
India were all over West Indies from the start of the game. Hardik Pandya dismissed Kyle Mayers for 2 as the batter pulled one to mid-on. Alick Athanaze scored a good-looking 22, but became debutant Mukesh Kumar’s first ODI wicket. He cut the bowler and was caught by a jumping Jadeja at backward point.
In the next over, Shardul Thakur cleaned up Brandon King (17) with an incoming delivery. Shimron Hetmyer (11) missed his scoop and was bowled by Jadeja. The left-arm spinner helped to the scalps of Rovman Powell (4) and Romario Shepherd (0) in his next over, the latter falling to a superb one-handed catch by Kohli at slip.
Kuldeep then took over. He trapped Dominic Drakes (3) and Yannic Cariah (3) lbw with googlies that the batters completely failed to read. West Indies captain Shai Hope, who top-scored with 43 off 45 was the next to go as he missed an attempted reverse-sweep. West Indies’ innings came to an end in the same over as Jayden Seales (0) was caught at leg slip off a wrong'un.
In the chase, India lost Shubman Gill for 7 as he fished at a wide ball from Seales that was moving further away. Suryakumar Yadav was promoted to No. 3. He brought out his famous scoop and got a six off Seales. However, he was out for 19 to Gudakesh Motie, missing his sweep.
Pandya was unlucky as he was run out at the non-striker’s end after Kishan slammed one back at Cariah. The ball hit the bowler’s hand and went on to disturb the stumps behind him. Kishan himself fell after crossing 50, caught in the deep while trying to go after Motie.
After Thakur (1) steered a catch to second slip off Cariah, Jadeja (16 not out) and Rohit Sharma (12 not) took India to victory without any further loss of wickets.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
