India clinched the two-match Test series against West Indies 1-0 as the final tie in the Port of Spain got washed out due to persistent rain. However, Rohit Sharma's brigade had the upper hand in the final Test and had a chance to white wash the series as they needed just eight wickets on the final day. But rain god had other plans as not a single ball was bowled in the ultimate day and the match was called off.
Riding on Virat Kohli's 121 India posted a big total of 438. In reply, West Indies were bowled out for 255, thanks to Mohammed Siraj's fiery five-wicket haul. Subsequently, India declared their innings at 181/2 and set a 365-run target for West Indies to chase. India were well on course of victory but due to divine intervention India couldn't get the favourable result.
Mohammed Siraj was adjudged Player of the Series as he took seven wickets in the two-match Test series. However, India's pace legend Zaheer Khan begged to differ with the Player of the Series announcement. Zaheer wanted India's ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to be adjudged Player of the Series for his stunning performance in the series.
While Siraj snared seven wickets in two Tests, Ashwin returned with 15 scalps in as many matches. Zaheer thinks Ashwin was the ‘main guy’ in India's emphatic series victory.
"He picked up that 10-fer, he was the main wrecker-in-chief, got 15 wickets, got a fifty as well. He had a terrific series. Virat (Kohli), Rohit (Sharma) and Yashasvi (Jaiswal) scored runs, but the main guy, who helped India get a result, was right up with his performance. My Man of the Series would have been Ashwin," Zaheer told Jio Cinema.
Ashwin not only contributed with 15 wickets in two Tests but also whacked a half century in the second tie. But despite his all-round performance he was not considered for the award.
After the Test assignment, now Team India is gearing for the three-match ODI series against West Indies which will start from July 27.
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