It could have gone horribly wrong for India. Shardul Thakur can bat, but he's not the 'batsman' to rely on a crunch run chase. But his six-ball knock resulted in 17 balls as India win the series finale by four wickets with eight balls to spare. Ravindra Jadeja once again carried his all-rounder's tag well, scoring an unbeaten on 39 off 31. But after the Windies set a 316-run target at Barabati Stadium, India needed a good foundation. And fortunately, they had Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul there. Then the skipper exorcised his demons at the venue and held the innings together even as Rishabh Pant continued to throw his wicket. Yea, this was the last international match for India this year. Early next year, Sri Lanka and Australia will be in India for short limited-overs' series, one after another.
Man of the match is Virat Kohli, while his deputy Rohit Sharma wins the Player of the series award.
Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bowl in their series-deciding third and final ODI against the West Indies in Cuttack on Sunday. India made one change with pacer Navdeep Saini coming in for injured Deepak Chahar. The 27-year-old Saini was making his ODI debut. The Windies were unchanged. Catch highlights of the third IND vs WI ODI match here:
India Innings; Target 316
9:39 PM IST: Keemo Paul on with the penultimate over. A dot and Shardul Tahkur survives a run out chance. Poor return at the bowler's end. Ravindra Jadeja hooks the next ball for a four, then a double to sweeper cover to level the scores. Need 1 in nine balls. A quick single, but need confirmation for a run-out. Direct hit to the striker's end. And it turns out to be a no-ball too. All over now. Meaning INDIA WIN BY 4 WICKETS. India end the year and the decade on a high. IND - 316/6 (48.4); Jadeja - 39, Thakur - 17.
9:33 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell on with his last over. A wide to start, the an dot to Ravindra Jadeja. A single, then a wide for height. Shardul Thakur closes his eyes and swings one. Result, a six over backward square leg. Only 64 metres. Then, down the ground for a four. Using the long handle pretty well. But at closer look, it looks like a copy of Kohli flick. A single to rotate the strike, which is not needed now. Jadeja pulls the last ball for a single. 15 runs from the over. IND - 309/6 (48); Jadeja - 33, Thakur - 17. India need 7 runs in 12 balls. Cottrell's figures: 10-1-74-1.
9:27 PM IST: Keemo Paul returns for his ninth over, and he removes Virat Kohli. WHAT A TIMING. Drags in. Kohli made 85 off 81. Shardul Thakur, the new man, hits the second ball for a four, through cover. Then a single. A single to long-off. Another single, to long-on. A wicket, a four and four singles. IND - 294/6 (47); Jadeja - 31, Thakur - 6. India need 22 runs in 18 balls.
9:21 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell on with his ninth over. A dot, then Ravindra Jadeja hits the second for a four to mid-wicket. Bullet. A single, then Virat Kohli rotates the strike again. A rising delivery and Jadeja pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a second. Brilliant fielding from Nicholas Pooran. Kohli rights declines the second. Another single. Kohli keeps the strike. Eight runs from the over. IND - 286/5 (46); Kohli - 85, Jadeja - 29. They need 30 runs in 24 balls.
9:16 PM IST: Jason Holder returns for his last over. A dot to Virat Kohli, then three singles. Holder drops one short and Ravindra Jadeja plays a crunchy pull shot for a four. A single to rotate the strike. Fifty-run stand in 37 balls. Eights runs from the over. IND - 278/5 (45); Kohli - 83, Jadeja - 23. They need 38 runs in 30 balls. Holder's figures: 10-0-63-1
9:10 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell returns for his eighth over. Three singles, then a double to mid-wicket as Ravindra Jadeja keeps strike. A single to third man. A single and seven runs from the over. IND - 270/5 (44); Kohli - 81, Jadeja - 17. They need 46 runs in 36 balls.
9:06 PM IST: Khary Pierre returns for his seventh over. A dot, then a single to leg side. Virat Kohli gets the strike. Kohli hits the third ball for a four to third man. A dot, the a stupendous shot for a four to deep -mid-wicket. A single and 10 runs from the over. IND - 263/5 (43); Kohli - 78, Jadeja - 13. They need 53 runs in 42 balls.
9:01 PM IST: Jason Holder on with his ninth over. Two singles and India ar 150 up. Another single as Virat Kohli returns to take strike. A dot to backward point. A quick single to mid-wicket. One more single. IND - 253/5 (42); Kohli - 69, Jadeja - 12. They need 63 runs in 48 balls.
8:56 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell on with his seventh over. Virat Kohli takes a single, then five wides, on the right. A single, with Kohli running for life against Cottrell who kicks the ball to the none-striker's wicket. Had it hit, Kohli's was sure get a massive salute. Singles off the remaining deliveries. 11 runs from the over. IND - 248/5 (41); Kohli - 67, Jadeja - 9. They need 68 runs in 54 balls.
8:51 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph on with his eighth over. A dot to Virat Kohli, then five singles. IND - 237/5 (40); Kohli - 64, Jadeja - 6. They need 79 runs.
8:46 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell returns for his sixth over. Virat Kohli hits the first ball for a four. A full toss on the pads and deservedly dispatched. Three singles, then WICKET. Salute! Kear Jadhav (9 off 10) is BOWLED. Ravindra Jadeja, left-handed batsman, is the new man. 11 runs from the over. IND - 232/5 (39); Kohli - 61, Jadeja - 4. They need 84 runs.
8:41 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph on with his seventh over. Kedar Jadhav takes a single off the second, then a wide. Loose ball to Virat Kohli. Indian skipper guides the third ball to square leg boundary. A single, then a four to third man as Jadhav gets his first boundary countesy a shameful misfield from Jason Holder. Ball quietely slips through his hands. 11 runs from the over. IND - 221/4 (38); Kohli - 55, Jadhav - 8. They need 95 runs.
8:37 PM IST: Keemo Paul on with his eighth over. A double off the first ball, to mid-off, then a single. Virat Kohli takes a single off the third for his 55th ODI fifty, in 51 balls. Four runs from the over. IND - 210/4 (37); Kohli - 50, Jadhav - 3. They need 106 runs.
8:32 PM IST: Kedar Jadhav is the new man for India. Jason Holder on with his eighth over. Five singles, including a very tight one off the last ball. IND - 206/4 (36); Kohli - 47, Jadhav - 2. They need 110 runs.
8:28 PM IST: Keemo Paul on with his seventh over. Rishabh Pant hits the first ball for a four, to fine leg boundary. Two singles, then he drags back. BOWLED. Pant made 7 off 6. Just another day for the Mr. Talent. IND - 201/4 (35); Kohli - 44. They need 115 runs more.
8:23 PM IST: Jason Holder returns for his seventh over. Three singles, then Virat Kohli hits the fourth ball for a four past mid-off. Two dots to end the over. IND - 195/3 (34); Kohli - 43; Pant - 2. They need 121 runs more.
8:18 PM IST: Keemo Paul on with his sixth over. Shreyas Iyer hits the second ball for a four, then holes out at fine leg. WICKET! Good catch by Alzarri Joseph. Iyer made 7 off 7. Teams take a quick Drinks. Rishabh Pant is the new man. Four runs from the over. IND - 188/3 (33); Kohli - 38; Pant - 0. They need 128 runs more.
8:10 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph on with his sixth over. Two dots, then Virat Kohli hits back-to-back fours -- through midwicket and to deep mid-wicket. With that first four, Kohli becomes the fifth Indian to score 13000 List A runs. 12 runs from the over. IND - 184/2 (32); Kohli - 38; Iyer - 3. They need 132 runs more.
8:05 PM IST: Roston Chase on with his fourth over. Four singles and a double. IND - 172/2 (31); Kohli - 28; Iyer - 1. They need 144 runs more.
8:01 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph continues. A dot to KL Rahul, then two singles. A dot, then WICKET of Rahul. Caugh behind. Top edge. He made 77 off 89. Shreyas Iyer, right-handed batsman, is the new man. Two runs and a wicket. Brilliant over. IND - 167/2 (30); Kohli - 24; Iyer - 0. They need 149 runs more.
7:56 PM IST: Roston Chase returns for his third over. IND - A double off the second ball, as Virat Kohli plays it through cover. Singles off the last two balls. Kohli now has his highest score here. The previous high was 22 (21) against Sri Lanka in 2014. IND - 165/1 (29); Rahul - 76; Kohli - 23. They need 151 runs more.
7:52 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph returns with his fourth over. Three single, then KL Rahul flicks the fifth ball for a six. Nine runs from the over. IND - 161/1 (28); Rahul - 75; Kohli - 20. They need 155 runs more.
7:48 PM IST: Keemo Paul on with his fifth over. Singles off the third and fourth balls, then Virat Kohli hits the fifth for a four through extra cover. Grand. A single to end the over and keep the strike. IND - 152/1 (27); Rahul - 68; Kohli - 18. They need 164 runs more.
7:43 PM IST: Jason Holder continues. Four singles. IND - 145/1 (26); Rahul - 67; Kohli - 12. They need 171 runs more.
7:39 PM IST: Keemo Paul returns for his fourth over. Just two singles. IND - 141/1 (25); Rahul - 65; Kohli - 10. They need 175 runs more.
7:36 PM IST: Jason Holder continues. A dot, then two singles. Virat Kohli hits the fourth ball for a four through cover. Good looking shot. Another single, and seven runs from the over. IND - 139/1 (24); Rahul - 64; Kohli - 9. They need 177 runs more.
7:31 PM IST: Khary Pierre continues. KL Rahul hits the first ball for a four, courtesy a misfield by Hayden Walsh at extra cover. Four more singles. IND - 132/1 (23); Rahul - 63; Kohli - 3. They need 184 runs more.
7:28 PM IST: Jason Holder returns for his fourth over. KL Rahul takes a single, then WICKET. Rohit Sharm tries to drive the rising ball and is caught behind. Brilliant delivery. Virat Kohli is the new man. Three runs from the over. IND - 124/1 (22); Rahul - 57; Kohli - 1. They need 192 runs more.
7:23 PM IST: Khary Pierre on with his fifth over. Four singles, and a four off the last ball -- a slog sweep. Eight runs from the over. IND - 121/0 (21); Rohit - 63, Rahul - 55. They need 195 runs more.
7:19 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph continues. Four singles. IND - 113/0 (20); Rohit - 57, Rahul - 53. They need 203 runs more.
7:15 PM IST: Khary Pierre on with his fourth over. Rohit Sharma hits the second ball for a four, through cover. Six runs from the over. IND - 109/0 (19); Rohit - 55, Rahul - 51. They need 207 runs more.
7:12 PM IST: Alzarri Joseph continues with his second over. Two dots, then Rohit Sharma takes a single, to mid-on. And fifty, in 52 balls with the help of six fours and a one six. Good over for the Windies, only a single. IND - 103/0 (18); Rohit - 50, Rahul - 50. They need 213 runs more.
7:04 PM IST: Khary Pierre continues. KL Rahul takes a single off the first ball, and fifty, in 49 balls. Another single, and two ruins from the over. IND - 102/0 (17); Rohit - 49, Rahul - 50. They need 214 runs more. Drinks.
7:01 PM IST: Bowling change. Alzarri Joseph, right-arm fast-medium pacer, on. Three singles, a wide, then a thick top-edge to beat Shai Hope behind the stumps for a four. A single to end the over. 100 up for India. IND - 100/0 (16); Rohit - 48, Rahul - 49. They need 216 runs more.
6:56 PM IST: Khary Pierre continues. Rohit Sharma sweeps the first ball for a four. And three more singles to make it a 7-run over. IND - 91/0 (15); Rohit - 46, Rahul - 43. They need 225 runs more.
6:53 PM IST: Roston Chase continues. Two singles. Good over. IND - 84/0 (14); Rohit - 40, Rahul - 42. They need 232 runs more.
6:50 PM IST: Double bowling change. Khary Pierre, left-arm spinner, on. Five singles. IND - 82/0 (13); Rohit - 39, Rahul - 41. They need 234 runs more.
6:46 PM IST: Bowling change. Roston Chase, off-spinner, on. KL Rahul hits the third ball for a four, past point. Eight runs from the over. IND - 77/0 (12); Rohit - 37, Rahul - 38. They need 239 runs more.
6:42 PM IST: Keemo Paul continues. KL Rahul hits the first ball for a four through cover, leaning on the shot and making sure it gets the best of timings. A double, then a dot. A single off the fourth and another single as Rohit Sharma plays the fifth ball to on-side. Two leg byes to end the over. 10 from the over. IND - 69/0 (11); Rohit - 35, Rahul - 32. They need 247 runs more.
6:37 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell on with his fifth over. Rohit Sharma hits a cracking four to third man. Two more singles and first power-play is over. IND - 59/0 (10); Rohit - 34, Rahul - 25. They need 257 runs more.
6:33 PM IST: Keemo Paul continues. KL Rahul hits the first ball for a four to bring up India's 50. The Indian opener leaves the next ball even though, he offers the bat. Bizarre. It's called a dead ball. Kieron Pollard is furious. Two singles off the third and last balls. Six runs from the over. IND - 53/0 (9); Rohit - 29, Rahul - 24.
6:29 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell continues. Rohit Sharma takes a double off the first ball, a lofted cover drive. KL Rahul rotates the strike with a single, to mid-wicket. Three dots, then a single, to third man. Four runs from the over. IND - 47/0 (8); Rohit - 28, Rahul - 19. They need 269 runs more.
7:26 PM IST: Bowling change. Keemo Paul, right-arm fast-medium bowler, on. A dot, and a single as Rohit Sharma hits the second ball to square leg. Two dots, then a double. Rohit hits the last ball for a four, courtesy a misfield from Roston Chase at mid-on. Seven runs from the over. IND - 43/0 (7); Rohit - 25, Rahul - 18. They need 273 runs more.
6:20 PM IST: Jason Holder on with his third over. KL Rahul takes a single. Rohit Sharma blocks the next one, then flicks the next ball for a four. A single, then Rahul caresses the fifth ball for a four past point. Pure class. 10 runs from the over. IND - 36/0 (6); Rohit - 24, Rahul - 12.
6:15 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell continues. And brilliant response from the Windies pacer. A single. off the third ball as KL Rahul plays it to mid-on. Cottrell then teases Rohit Sharma with some good deliveries. IND - 26/0 (5); Rohit - 19, Rahul - 7.
6:12 PM IST: Jason Holder continues. A dot, then Rohit Sharma hits the second ball for a six over mid-wicket. Another dot, then a four, in front of square. Classy shot. Two dots. 10 runs from the over. IND - 25/0 (4); Rohit - 19, Rahul -6
6:07 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell continues. Rohit Sharma hits the first ball -- a full toss -- for a four, to deep mid-wicket. A dot then, Rohit reaches to the pitch of the delivery and drives through for a four. A single, then KL Rahul for a double. 11 runs from the over. IND - 15/0 (3); Rohit - 9, Rahul -6
6:03 PM IST: Jason Holder shares the new ball with Sheldon Cottrell. KL Rahul hits the first ball for a four, behind square. Then five dots. IND - 4/0 (2); Rohit - 0, Rahul - 4.
5:58 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell with the new ball. Rohit Sharma plays it safe. A maiden over. His opening partner is KL Rahul.
5:55 PM IST: Players are back for the Indian innings.
After a cautious start, West Indies gained momentum towards the end of the innings. Nicholas Pooran (89 off 64) and Kieron Pollard (74 off 51) then scored some quick runs to help the visitors to 315/5. For India, debutant Navdeep Saini picked two wickets, while Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja got one each.
Brief scores: WI - 315/5 in 50 overs (Pooran 89, Pollard 74 not out; Saini 2/52).
West Indies Innings
5:25 PM IST: Mohammed Shami with the last over. A single, then Kieron Pollard hits the next two balls for sixes, both down the ground. Two singles, and Pollard takes a single off the last ball, to long-off. 16 from the over. Shami's figures: 10-2-66-1. WI - 315/5 (50); Pollard - 74, Holder - 7. 77 runs in the last five overs.
5:21 PM IST: Navdeep Saini on with his last over. Kieron Pollard hits the first two balls for fours, to long-on and through cover. And fifty for the skipper. Two singles, then a six over deep mid-wicket. A dot to end the over. 16 runs from the over. Saini's figures: 2/58. WI - 299/5 (49); Pollard - 60, Holder - 5.
5:15 PM IST: Shardul Thakur on with his last over. One big over. 21 runs and a wicket. He gets the wicket of Nicholas Pooran (89 off 64), caught at deep by Ravindra Jadeja. But the Windies batsman had done the damage, hitting two fours and a six before getting out. Jason Holder is the new man. Thakur's figures: 1/66. WI - 283/5 (48); Pollard - 45, Holder - 4.
5:08 PM IST: Mohammed Shami on with his ninth over. Kieron Pollard mistimes his shot, but it still goes for a six, over deep square leg boundary. Three singles then a dot. Nicholas Pooran takes a quick single to end the over. 10 runs from it. WI - 262/4 (47); Pooran - 75; Pollard - 45.
Record alert: Pooran and Pollard now have the highest fifth-wicket stand for WI vs IND. The previous best was 109 by Marlon Samuels and Ricardo Powell in 2002.
5:03 PMIST: Navdeep Saini on with his ninth over. Nicholas Pooran hits the first two balls for fours, over the bowler's head than to deep mid-wicket. And 100-run stand in 83 balls. Play and miss as Saini breathes a sigh of relief. But Pooran gets another, this time to deep mid-wicket. Calculated risk, but a very well executed pull shot. A half-chance for KL Rahul at deep mid-wicket. Full toss and Pooran rue the miss chance. Only a single for the trouble. Kieron Pollard takes a single to keep the strike. 14 runs from the over. WI - 252/4 (46); Pooran - 73; Pollard - 37. 108-run stand in 87. 48 in the last five.
4:56 PM IST: Shardul Thakur on with his ninth over. Four singles. Brilliant from the medium pacer. WI - 238/4 (45); Pooran - 60; Pollard - 36.
4:51 PM IST: Mohammed Shami returns for his eighth over. Three dots, then a dot, then a single. Virat Kohli moved third man to short third man, and Nicholas Pooran carves a fine late cut for a four. Eight runs from the over. WI - 234/4 (44); Pooran - 58; Pollard - 34.
West Indies' Nicholas Pooran bats during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
4:47 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav on with his last over. Kieron Pollard hits the first ball for a six, straight. Harsha Bhogle is going bonkers. Says, it reaches commentary box. A single than a six over long-off. And fifty for Pooran, in 43 balls. Three singles to end the over. 16 runs from the over. 46 runs in the last five overs. WI - 226/4 (43); Pooran - 52; Pollard - 32.
4:42 PM IST: Ok. Play resumes and a four to square leg. On the pads and Kieron Pollard simply caresses it. Navdeep Saini responds with a well-directed yorker. Then another dot. A single to end the over. Six runs from the over. WI - 210/4 (42); Pooran - 44; Pollard - 24.
4:37 PM IST: Navdeep Saini returns for his eighth over. A dot to Nicholas Pooran, then a single to square leg. And a stoppage. People in white shirts walking, moving near, behind the sightscreen. This is white-ball cricket. WI - 205/4 (41.2); Pooran - 44; Pollard - 19.
4:34 PM IST: Last ten overs. Kuldeep Yadav on with his ninth over. Nicholas Pooran takes a single, to mid-wicket. A dot, then Kieron Pollard settles with a single, to cover. A dot, then a four to third man. Lucky outside edge for Pooran. A single, down the ground. Seven runs from the over. WI - 204/4 (41); Pooran - 43; Pollard - 19.
4:29 PM IST: Shardul Thakur on with his eighth over. Nicholas Poorab comes down and launches the first ball for a six over long-off. Clean hit. A fifty-run stand for the fifth wicket in 46 balls. A dot, then a double to extra cover. A single to long-on to rotate the strike. A dot and nine runs from the over. WI - 197/4 (40); Pooran - 37; Pollard - 18.
4:25 PM IST: Mohammed Shami returns for his seventh over. A dot to Kieron Pollard, then a single to mid-on. Nicholas Pooran hits the next ball for a four, beating a slow but diving Kuldeep Yadav at mid-off. Poor effort. A single, the one leg-bye. Eight runs from the over. WI - 188/4 (39); Pooran - 28, Pollard 18.
4:20 PM IST: Shardul Thakur returns for his seventh over. Three dots to Nicholas Pooran, then a single to sweeper cover. A dot to Kieron Pollard. A quick single to cover to end the over. Just two from it. WI - 180/4 (38); Pooran - 22, Pollard 17.
4:17 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav returns for his eighth over. Nicholas Pooran takes a single, to point. Then, Kieron Pollard lofts the over-pitched ball for a six, down the ground. Two dots, the Pollard muscles the fifth ball for a six over deep cover. A dot to end the 13-run over. And there were some exchange between Pollard and Virat Kohli. WI - 178/4 (37); Pooran - 21, Pollard 16.
4:12 PM IST: Shardul Thakur returns for his sixth over. Four singles. 23 runs from the last five overs. WI - 165/4 (36); Pooran - 20, Pollard 4.
4:08 pm IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his final over. Two singles, then Nicholas Pooran plays a delicate late cut for a four to backward point. Two singles then a dot. Nine runs from the over. Jadeja's figures: 1/54. WI - 161/4 (35); Pooran - 18, Pollard 2.
West Indies' physio attends to captain Kieron Pollard during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
4:04 PM IST: Navdeep Saini continues. Nicholas Pooran takes a single, then review for an LBW against Kieron Pollard. India lose it. Good yorker to hit the toes, but just outside. And Pollard is now having medical attention. After a brief stoppage, play resumes. A single off the fourth ball, to deep square leg. Pollard leaves the last ball. Three runs from the over. WI - 153/4 (34); Pooran - 12, Pollard 0.
3:56 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his penultimate over. Nicholas Pooran hits the third ball for a four. A controlled reverse sweep. Five runs from the over. WI - 150/4 (33); Pooran - 10, Pollard 0.
3:52 PM IST: Kieron Pollard, right-handed batsman, joins Nicholas Pooran in the centre. Two dots to the Windies captain. Then a wide, and a dot to end the over. Two runs and a wicket from it. WI - 145/4 (32); Pooran - 5, Pollard 0.
India's Navdeep Saini celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' Roston Chase, right, during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
3:49 PM IST: Navdeep Saini continues. A dot, then a single as Nicholas Pooran plays the second ball to square leg. Then the WICKET. He yorks Roston Chase (38 off 48). DRINKS.
3:47 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja returns for his eighth over. A single off the first ball, then another off the fifth ball. Roston Chase hits the last ball for a four to fine leg. Six runs from the over. WI - 143/3 (31); Chase - 38, Pooran - 4.
3:43 PM IST: Navdeep Saini returns for his fifth over. A single off the first ball as Roston Chase takes a risky run. Ravindra Jadeja distraught, he needed to hit the target at the striker's end. Then, WICKET! Saini gets his maiden ODI wicket. Shimron Hetmyer caught at deep square leg by Kuldeep Yadav. He made 37 off 33. Nicholas Pooran, left-handed batsman, is the new man. Six runs from the over. WI - 137/3 (30); Chase - 33, Pooran - 3.
3:37 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav continues with his seventh over. Two dots to Shimron Hetmyer, then two singles. A dot again as Virat Kohli makes a very good stop at extra cover. Another dot to end the over. The stand is now worth 61 in 58. WI - 131/2 (29); Chase - 30, Hetmyer - 37.
3:33 PM IST: Shardul Thakur returns for his fifth over. Roston Chase takes a single off the first ball, to backward square leg. Shimron Hetmyer pulls the next ball for a six. KL Rahul almost pulls off a stunner at deep mid-wicket boundary. He takes the leap and gets a hold of the ball but fails to keep the ball inside the rope while landing. Two singles, then a four to fine leg as Hetmyer continues to find boundaries. 14 runs from the over. 35 runs in the last three overs. WI - 129/2 (28); Chase - 29, Hetmyer - 36.
West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer plays a shot during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
3:28 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his seventh over. Roston Chase takes a single off the first ball, to long-off. Shimron Hetmyer hits the next for a four, over the bowler's head. A single, then a dot. Chase hits the next for a four, trough cover. A single to end the over. 11 runs from the over. WI - 115/2 (27); Chase - 27, Hetmyer - 24.
3:25 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav on with his sixth over. Four singles, then Shimron Hetmyer launches the last ball for a six over deep mid-wicket for a mighty six. First six of the match. 10 runs from the over. WI - 104/2 (26); Chase - 21, Hetmyer - 19.
3:21 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his sixth over. A double off the second ball as Shimron Hetmyer plays it to fine leg. Singles off the last three balls. Five from the over. WI - 94/2 (25); Chase - 19, Hetmyer - 11.
3:17 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav returns for his fifth over. Singles off the fourth and sixth balls. 19 runs from the last five overs. WI - 89/2 (24); Chase - 18, Hetmyer - 7.
3:14 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his fifth over. Roston Chase hits the fifth ball for a four, through mid-wicket. Eight runs from the over. WI - 87/2 (23); Chase -17, Hetmyer - 6.
3:11 PM IST: Mohammed Shami continues. Two singles, then three dots including a nasty bouncer to Roston Chase. The Windies batsman awkwardly pulls the last ball for a double to deep mid-wicket. Four runs from the over. WI - 79/2 (22); Chase - 10, Hetmyer - 5.
3:04 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja. A single off the third ball, then doubles off the fourth and sixth balls. Five runs from the over. 13 runs and a wicket from last five overs. WI - 75/2 (21); Chase - 7, Hetmyer - 4.
India's Mohammed Shami celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' Shai Hope, right during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
3:00 PM IST: Mohammed Shami returns for his fifth over. A dot, then beats Shai Hope. WICKET. Sneaks through, and bowled. Good bowling change. Hope made 42 off 50. FoW - 70/2 (19.2). Shimron Hetmyer, left-handed batsman, joins Roston Chase in the centre. A wicket maiden. WI - 70/2 (20); Chase - 6, Hetmyer - 0.
2:55 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his third over. Another very quick over. Singles off the second and sixth over. WI - 70/1 (19); Hope - 42, Chase - 6.
2:53 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav on with his fourth over. Three singles. WI - 68/1 (18); Hope - 41, Chase - 5.
2:50 PM IST: Ravindra Jadeja on with his second over. Singles off the first, second and fifth deliveries. WI - 65/1 (17); Hope - 40, Chase - 3.
2:46 PM IST: Roston Chase, right-handed batsman, is the new man. Kuldeep Yadav continues. A dot to the man an a review for a stumping. Clean work behind the wicket. But Chase just manages to plant his flailing foot in time. Two more dots, then a single off the fifth ball, to long-on. Shai Hope finds the gap at cover for his fifth boundary today. Overpitched delivery and gets the punishment it deserved. Five runs from the over. WI - 62/1 (16); Hope - 39, Chase - 1.
2:40 PM IST: Bowling change. Ravindra Jadeja, left-arm spinner, on. A single off the first ball, and 3000 ODI runs for Shai Hope, in 67 innings -- fastest Windies to do so. Four dots to Evin Lewis. WICKET. Frustrated, Lewis lofts the last ball and pays the price. A good catch taken by Navdeep Saini at long-on. He made 21 off 50. WI - 57/1 (15); Hope - 35.
West Indies' Evin Lewis leaves the field after being dismissed by India's Ravindra Jadeja during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
2:36 PM IST: Kuldeep Yadav on with his second over. Shai Hope hits the first ball, a magnificent drive down the ground, for a four. A dot, then a single as Kuldeep fails to field the return. Kuldeep responds with a quicker delivery with a sharp turn to Evin Lewis for a dot. Two more dots and five runs from the over. WI - 56/0 (14); Lewis - 21, Hope - 34.
2:32 PM IST: Navdeep Saini on with his fourth over. Four dots to Evin Lewis. A single off the fifth ball, to square leg and fifty for the Windies. Another single to end the over. WI - 51/0 (13); Lewis - 21, Hope - 29.
2:28 PM IST: Bowling change. Kuldeep Yadav, chinaman, on. Two dots, then Shai Hopes comes down the pitch and plays the third to long-off for a single. Evin Lewis plays the next ball to long-off for a single. A single to long-on as the Windies rotate the strike. Another single, this time to point. Four runs from the over. WI - 49/0 (12); Lewis - 20, Hope - 28.
2:24 PM IST: Navdeep Saini on with his third over. A single off the second ball as Shai Hope plays to mid-on. Very good over from the 27-year-old. Three overs so far and only 10 runs conceded. WI - 45/0 (11); Lewis - 18, Hope - 26.
West Indies' Evin Lewis, left, and Shai Hope run between the wickets during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
2:19 PM IST: Mohammed Shami returns for his fourth over. Shai Hope takes a single off the first ball, then Evin Lewis hits the last ball for a four. Beautifull straight drive. Five runs from the over. WI - 44/0 (10); Lewis - 18, Hope - 25.
2:14 PM IST: Navdeep Saini continues. Three dot balls to Shai Hope, then a tight single to rotate the strike. Saini gets a chance to run Hope out at the bowler's end, but a left-handed pick-up and throw let him down. Another dot, then almost get the wicket of Evin Lewis. A powerful slice and Ravindra Jadeja, at backward point, drops it. Good effort from one of the best fielders in the world, but not enough. Catchable. One run from the over. WI - 39/0 (9); Lewis - 14, Hope - 24.
2:08 PM IST: Change of ends for Shardul Thakur. He starts with a wide, down the leg. A dot, then Shai Hope picks the vacant spot at square leg for a single. Evin Lewis takes a quick single, to mid-off. Hope then middles the fourth ball for a sumptuous cover drive. In complete control. A single to deep square leg. A bounce to end the over. Eight runs from it. WI - 38/0 (8); Lewis - 14, Hope - 23.
2:03 PM IST: Bowling change. Debutant Navdeep Saini, right-arm medium-pacer, on and what a welcome from Evin Lewis. A four, straight past the bowler. Remember, Saini made his international debut against the Windies and he won the man of the match award for three wickets, in August. Two quick deliveries for dots, then Lewis creams the fourth ball for a four, through cover. Two dots and eight runs from the over. WI - 30/0 (7); Lewis - 13, Hope - 17.
1:58 PM IST: Mohammed Shami continues. Two singles, then a dot ball to Shai Hope. Inside edge, Close shave. Two dots, then a Hope flicks the last ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple. Four runs from the over. Good response from Shami after conceding 12 in his previous over. WI - 22/0 (6); Lewis - 5, Hope - 17.
1:53 PM IST: Shardul Thakur continues with his third over. Three dots to Evin Lewis. Third ball deemed a legit, fortunate Thakur. Close look from Nitin Menon but, it's wide of off. Lewis plays the fourth ball to backward square leg for a couple. two dots to end the over. WI - 18/0 (5); Lewis - 4, Hope - 14.
1:49 PM IST: Mohammed Shami continues. Two singles, then Shai Hope flicks the third ball to deep mid-wicket for a double. He follows it up with a four to long-off. Sublime timing. A dot, then Hope pulls the last ball for another four. One of the best pull shots you will ever see. 12 runs from the over. WI - 16/0 (4); Lewis - 2, Hope - 14.
India's captain Virat Kohil gestures towards crowd during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
1:44 PM IST: Shardul Thakur continues. Two dots, then Shai Hope plays the third ball to sweeper cover for a double. A dot then, Hope looks to find the gap at cover. But fielded. A single to square leg to end the over. Three runs from it. WI - 4/0 (3); Lewis - 1, Hope - 3.
1:39 PM IST: Mohammed Shami shares the new ball with Shardul Thakur. Three good length deliveries, then a well-directed bouncer. Shami looks sharp. It's followed by a fuller delivery to left-handed Evin Lewis. A maiden over. WI - 1/0 (2); Lewis - 1, Hope - 0.
1:35 PM IST: Evin Lewis takes a single off the second ball, to long leg. That's all. Brilliant start from Shardul Takhur. Good pace and enough movement to keep the Windies openers quiet. WI - 1/0 (1); Lewis - 1, Hope - 0.
India's Shardul Thakur bowls during the third and final one-day international cricket match of the series between India and West Indies in Cuttack, India, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
1:30 PM IST: Players are out in the centre. Shardul Thakur gets the new ball. Left-handed batsman Evin Lewis to face the first ball. His opening partner in Shai Hope.
1:18 PM IST: Before the toss, Sunil Gavaskar said "spinners will like this pitch, there are some cracks and it might open up... Dew is always a factor here."
1:05 PM IST: Here are the XIs -
India: Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini is in for injured Deepak Chahar.
West Indies: Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell
1:02 PM IST: TOSS! Virat Kohli finally wins the toss and India will bowl first.
12:50 PM IST: Big news first. Navdeep Saini has been giving his ODI cap by Virat Kohli.
Finally, India's international cricket calendar for 2019 comes to an with a high-stakes match. India have not lost two consecutive bilateral ODI series at home in the last 15 years. Virat Kohli & Co lost to Australia 2-3 in March. A defeat on Sunday (December 22), and India's pride will take a serious beating.
The Windies have threatened India more than a couple of times during this tour, comprising two three-match series. India were lucky to win the T20I series 2-1, and now, they are presented with a similar proposition. It's a winners take all clash.
There's more than enough incentives for the Windies to go for the kill. They are staring at 10th straight bilateral ODI series defeat against India, and they have not won a series in India in 13 years. Also, India are the second-ranked ODI team in the world. A lot to play for.
India expectedly start as the favourites to win the match. But this Windies team is different. A talented team, together with a maverick captain, they sure can challenge any side. What they need is some consistency. If they manage to produce an all-rounder display, India will have some tough times in the centre.
For India, skipper Kohli will look to finish the year on a high after two indifferent outings in the first two matches -- 4 and 0. Also, the right-handed batsman needs to improve his stats at the venue. Kohli has 34 runs -- 3, 22, 1, 8 -- from three ODIs and one T20I, his lowest among all venues in India where he has played at least three matches. He's due a big knock.
India's real concern, however, lie in their bowling department. As witnessed in the previous matches, Indian bowlers have struggled against the Windies power hitters. On a batting-friendly top, they will need to operate carefully. The last time an ODI was played at this venue, England almost chased down India's 382. Only 15 runs separated the two sides.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (v-c), Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur
West Indies: Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope, Khary Pierre, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Kieron Pollard (c), Sheldon Cottrell, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Hayden Walsh Jr.
