India, led by stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan, secured a closely fought three-run win over the West Indies in the first ODI at the Port of Spain on Saturday (July 13) morning. Dhawan scored a well-crafted 97 runs while Shubmam Gill added 64 on his ODI comeback before India held their nerves in the final over, which was well closed out by Mohammed Siraj.
Dhawan and Gill shared a 119-run stand before the West Indies fought back to restrict India to 308 for seven. The hosts needed 15 off the final over for a record chase at the Queens Park Oval but Siraj was able to stop a rampaging Romario Shepherd (38 not out off 25).
West Indian batters match Indian top order fight
At the top of the order for West Indies, Kyle Mayers (75 off 68) and Shamarh Brooks (46 off 61) put up a 117-run stand for the second wicket before Brandon King (54 off 66) took the game deep. In the end, the West Indies fell short and ended at 305 for six.
Earlier, Shardul Thakur struck twice to bring back India into the game after dismissing Mayers and Brooks. Then, skipper Nicholas Pooran (25 off 26) came in and punished Prasidh Krishna with two flat sixes over deep square leg and deep midwicket.
The hosts needed 60 off the last 90 balls, with a 56-run stand between King and Akeal Hosein (32 not out off 32) keeping India on their feet. However, Yuvzvendra Chahal struck with the breakthrough. But, the home team was kept in the chase by Shepherd and Hosein whose valiant partnership went in vain.
Indian openers masterclass
Earlier, Gill, playing his first ODI since December 2020, played some sublime strokes while Dhawan took his time before changing gears. And Shreyas Iyer, who has had his troubles of late with the short ball, was back amongst the runs with a fluent 54 off 57 balls.
The opening duo of Gill and Dhawan provided the launchpad for a 350-plus total before the former was run out in the 18th over against the run of play. Gill, one of the most watchable batters when in full flow, was very comfortable against the fast bowlers.
His innings had six fours and a couple of sixes. It was Gill's maiden ODI fifty in what was his fourth game. Meanwhile, Dhawan, who only plays one format and had a lean run in England, paced his innings well with Gill going strong at the other end. The southpaw collected 10 fours and three sixes. His go-to-shot was the slog sweep off left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie.
India were set for a 350-plus score but Dhawan's dismissal for the seventh time in the 90s led to a middle-order collapse with the visitors reduced to 252 for five from 213 for one. Sanju Samson (12) squandered a good opportunity to make an impact while Suryakumar Yadav (13) fell to a loose shot.
Deepak Hooda (27) and Axar Patel (21) took India past 300 with a 42-run stand for the sixth wicket.
