IND vs WI, 3rd T20I Review – India complete a clean sweep
India stamped their authority over West Indies with yet another convincing victory as they clinched the third and final T20I in Kolkata by 17 runs to register consecutive clean-sweeps and seal a 3-0 series win following an identical scoreline in the preceding ODI series.
Both teams made four changes apiece in their XI from the last game but the result remained the same, with India extending their dominant home record. After being put in, India’s new-look opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan could not fire with the latter returning cheaply, however, Kishan and Shreyas Iyer ensured a quick recovery with a half-century stand.
India were in threat of losing the momentum again when Rohit Sharma at No. 4 failed to make a mark with a 15-ball 7 but what followed was sheer carnage as Suryakumar Yadav (65 off 31) and Venkatesh Iyer (35 off 19) blasted 91 runs in merely 37 deliveries in tandem to launch India past 180-mark.
During the chase, West Indies were plagued by the lack of partnerships, with only Nicholas Pooran managing to deliver a performance of note as India continued to chip in with regular wickets.
Harshal Patel delivered for the second time in a row, controlling West Indies in the death overs while picking three wickets and he was well-assisted by Shardul Thakur. Patel returned with impressive figures of 3/22, while Thakur, Venkatesh Iyer and Deepak Chahar got two apiece.
Top performers
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav was at his destructive best, as he toyed with the West Indies bowlers en route his aggressive 65-run knock that came off merely 31 deliveries, laced with seven sixes and a four, including some staggering strokes behind square in his trademark 360-degree style.
Nicholas Pooran
Although in a losing cause, Nicholas Pooran carried on his rich vein of form to notch up yet another half-century to make it a hat-trick in the series. He struck eight boundaries and a six in his 61 off 47 but was left alone as none other batter stuck around him to chase the target.
What next for the two teams?
West Indies will host England for three Tests at home in March, while India will host Sri Lanka for three T20Is followed by two Tests in February-March.
