India runs riot at Queen’s Park Oval; complete 3-0 sweep of the Windies

It was a dead rubber even before the game started and despite the rains trying its best to play spoilsport, the truncated 35-over contest was a one-sided dominance from Team India as they condemned the hosts to a crushing 119-run defeat to complete a 3-0 sweep.

Sadly, for the hosts, the rains aggravated the matter with the Indian bowlers making easy work of an ailing batting unit that showed promise in the first couple of games but would come undone in crumbling fashion in the final ODI.

Winning the toss, Dhawan opted to bat first and it was a seraphic start from the opening duo with Shubman Gill and the Indian captain getting off to a wary start that would soon give way to some exotic striking. Despite Dhawan’s fall, Gill would continue the rampage and would be joined by Shreyas Iyer in the middle whose good form throughout the series would extend to another glittering knock.

Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav would fall in quick succession, but that would do very little to dampen the Indian spirits as Sanju Samson would continue the battery at one end while Gill cautiously headed towards the magical three-figure mark. Much to the dismay of the Indian opener, he would stay unbeaten for a fine 98 when the rain gods chose to intervene for the second time, delivering the final verdict on the Indian innings.

India would pile up 225 from their quota of 36 overs while West Indies would be allotted a target of 257 from their quota of 35 overs according to the Duckworth Lewis method. With the sun coming out ahead of the Windies chase, the surface was prepped perfectly, for what one would label as the perfect end to a series that had already produced two ripping thrillers.

Mohammed Siraj would spearhead the Indian charge right since his first ball, bagging two wickets in the first three balls of his spell, bagging the prized scalps of Kyle Mayers and Shamarh Brooks, leaving the Caribbean teetering along the fringes of an early slide.

Shai Hope and Brandon King would put up a steady partnership in an effort to stabilize the Windies ship but it would hardly have a lasting impact with Chahal foxing Hope with a skitter. Pooran would chime in with another crucial knock, but the mountain was vertiginous to climb and the Indians would come at the hosts like an avalanche, snuffing out their hopes, once and for all.

Chahal would once again grab the limelight with another fascinating spell, featuring impressive numbers of 4 for 17 from his quota of 4 overs while Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj would support the wrist-spinner perfectly in his exploits with a brace each.

India would script a remarkable win by 119 runs that would make Shikhar Dhawan the first ever Indian captain to whitewash the Islanders in the latter’s backyard, while the Indians would extend their series-winning streak to an overwhelming 12th chapter. India will be up against West Indies in the first T20I affair that will be hosted at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.