West Indies Team. (Photo Source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)
After clinching the Test series by 1-0, India began the ODI chapter of the West Indies tour as they took on the hosts in the first game of the three-match series on Thursday, July 27 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and invited West Indies to bat first. The fans were in for a surprise as Hardik Pandya took the new ball. However, the decision proved to be right as he gave the first strike to his side by dismissing Kyle Mayers.
Debutant Mukesh Kumar also joined the party and got rid of Alick Athanaze to give second blow to the West Indies on 45. Shardul Thakur also added a wicket to his tally destroying the stumps of Brandon King in the very next over. Shimron Hetmyer walked in at number five and stitched a 43-run stand with captain Shai Hope to stabilise the innings.
However, their partnership didn’t last long with Ravindra Jadeja annihilating Hetmyer’s Timber to leave the hosts on 88/4. From there on it was absolute carnage for West Indies as the left-arm spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (4/6, 3 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/37, 6 overs) ran through their entire batting lineup.
Captain Hope was the only hope for his side as he held one end with his gritty 43 but even he got dismissed trying to reverse sweep Kuldeep after losing partners at the other end.
In reply, India opened the innings with the pair of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. After a flop show in the Test series, Gill had another forgettable outing as he returned to the pavilion with just seven runs against his name. Suryakumar Yadav walked in at number three and finally managed to survive the first ball after registering three consecutive golden ducks in the last three ODIs.
India made a mess of their chase by losing by five wickets
Kishan and Yadav took India’s score past 50 with their 36-run stand before Gudakesh Motie dismissed Yadav lbw for 19. India went on to lose three more wickets in the form of Hardik Pandya (5), Ishan Kishan (52) and Shardul Thakur (1) to make things a bit tough for them. However, Rohit Sharma (12*) and Ravindra Jadeja (16*) took India home in 22.5 overs and win the match by five wickets. As a result, India went 1-0 up in the series with two matches remaining.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with memes after India’s victory:
Rohit Sharma finishes off in style
India wins the match against West Indies and Party starts in the dressing room.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) July 27, 2023
Shubman Gill pic.twitter.com/RRf3ZdMzi2
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) July 27, 2023
Shubman Gill is not minnow basher. 😎💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/PuJUkKTUFa
— Dennis🕸 (@DenissForReal) July 27, 2023
with bat,
Naseem Shah >>>>>> Shubman Gill pic.twitter.com/akZjH1rsB9
— Hamxa 🏏🇵🇰 (@hamxashahbax21) July 27, 2023
Sanju Samson pic.twitter.com/ZbsllXLVwx
— Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88) July 27, 2023
The last time Rohit Sharma batted at 7 in ODI we won the Cricket World Cup. #JustSaying pic.twitter.com/MmgoRUj2p9
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) July 27, 2023
My brother in Christ. You bat first if you wanna give chance to everyone, not ask everyone to play 10 balls and get out. https://t.co/Sv7dZck90q
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) July 27, 2023
So no Cricket for next 1 month again https://t.co/eH29VrQSwv pic.twitter.com/wh8c3RBgSY
— PRASH (@Prash023) July 27, 2023
We’re thankful for Ravindra Jadeja for staying till the end and finishing the game after a top order collapse. With inflation these 16 runs are like 160 in my honest opinion. Maiden ODI century for him in my books.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) July 27, 2023
‘Sab Jawaab Milenge’ ❎
Aur Sawaal khade hogaye ✅
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) July 27, 2023
Kya samay aa gya ki sochna padd rha hai Ishan 50 nahi krta toh match fas jata💀
Rohit-Kohli ke bina baki sb expose
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) July 27, 2023
Rohit when he sends 6 batters before him to chase 115 but has to hit the winning runs himself pic.twitter.com/gyVOcXVEmI
— Kanav Bali🏏 (@Concussion__Sub) July 27, 2023