The track of Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados turned out to be a paradise for India’s left-arm spinners. Kuldeep Yadav picked up a four-fer in just three overs whereas Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets. This is the first time in India’s 49-year-old ODI cricket history, two left-arm spinners have combined to take seven or more wickets in a match.
Jadeja was introduced in the 12th over and bowled two wides, one no ball. Jadeja took his first wicket in the 16th over. Shimron Hetmyer got bowled trying to play a rash shot. In his next over, Jadeja struck twice to dismiss Rovman Powell and then Romario Shephered for a two-ball duck. Jadeja was added by brilliant catching at slip by Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli respectively.
In the next over, Kuldeep was introduced into the attack. Dominic Drakes got out lbw for a single-digit score. In his next over, left-arm chinaman trapped Yannic Cariah in front of the stumps. In the 23rd over, he got the wicket of West Indies skipper Shai Hope who was hoping for support from the other end. Hope got out lbw as well. Jayden Seales was the last one to fall as West Indies were bundled out for 114 in 23 overs.
“The way the pacers bowled was really good, Mukesh and Shardul in particular. And then Jadeja and I could handle things, the ball was spinning a bit. We had to control our lengths and the wickets were easy to get,” the 28-year-old told the broadcasters during innings break.
“I have been working on my rhythm and it has been amazing. The ball is coming out nicely and I’m very pleased with it. I have also been varying the pace and in the white-ball format, my focus is on hitting the right lengths. (On bowling googlies) Depends on the condition and situation, when they were 5 down I could bowl my variations. When the left-hander came in, I was trying to bowl away from him. To be very honest, I felt this wicket was really good for spin.”
West Indies got all out for 114, their lowest ODI score against India at home and second-lowest overall. Also, this is the first time India have bundled out a side in less than 25 overs in first innings.
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