India 118 for five (Kishan 52, Motie 2-26) beat West Indies 114 (Hope 43, Kuldeep 4-6, Jadeja 3-37) by 5 wickets
It took India all of 45.5 overs to dismantle West Indies and declare the opening ODI by 5 wickets in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Despatched in to bat, Shai Hope mentioned he anticipated moisture on the floor to play a component, and whereas there was respectable motion and carry early on, it was a trial by spin that in the end did the batters in. Kuldeep picked up 4 for six in three overs and Jadeja 3 for 37 in six.
The very subsequent over, it was Brandon King’s flip to depart, with Thakur rattling his center stump courtesy a cross-seam supply that moved sharply again in.
Shimron Hetmyer, taking part in his first ODI since July 2021, survived a DRS attraction for caught behind first ball however settled in pretty comfortably. He added a 43-run stand with captain Hope for the fourth wicket.
Hope acquired going by driving Mukesh on the up, earlier than utilizing the additional tempo of Umran Malik and gathering back-to-back fours via pulls. Hetmyer was extra circumspect in his method as West Indies reached 87 for 3 after 15 overs, and it appeared like clean crusing was forward.
Sadly for the hosts, although, that was to not be. Jadeja’s first two overs went for 20, however he quickly discovered his lengths and that made him near-unplayable. It did not assist that Hetmyer acquired a bit too adventurous, making an attempt an unwarranted scoop. Jadeja landed a fullish size ball on center and Hetmyer went nicely throughout solely to be bowled.
Jadeja then had Rovman Powell caught at first slip for 4 earlier than a Virat Kohli particular at second slip despatched again Romario Shepherd two balls later. The batter went via with an expansive drive seeing the ball pitched up, however did not fairly attain the pitch of it. The skin edge flew low to the precise of Kohli, who plucked a one-handed take.
Kishan set the tempo fairly early within the chase, with a dismissive pull behind sq. within the opening over. Gill acquired a boundary of his personal within the subsequent over, albeit off a high edge. He, nevertheless, could not final lengthy, falling to Seales, who acquired the out-swinger going properly to catch Gill’s edge. It was most likely the earlier three balls that did Gill in as he was pushed again by some fast short-of-a-length stuff earlier than Seales acquired one to go a contact fuller.
Suryakumar, whose ODI type has been a speaking level, didn’t do himself too many favours although he did gentle up the stage with one specific six off Seales, one thing of stand-up-straight scoop over high quality leg that he is making a signature shot of his. He crunched a sweep in opposition to Gudakesh Motie however tried the shot one too many occasions and was caught in entrance of the stumps. He did name for the DRS however to no avail.
Kishan continued to gather boundaries at common intervals. Hardik, got here in at No. 4 and was dropped on zero by King at first slip, however could not final lengthy. Kishan hammered a blow straight again at Cariah, who dropped the catch, however the ball ricocheted off his fingers to the non-striker’s stumps, the place Hardik was discovered brief.
Kishan reached his fifty off 44 balls however fell making an attempt to clear midwicket, giving Motie his second wicket. Thakur then walked in however did not do a lot harm earlier than Rohit lastly walked in and, alongside Jadeja, ensured India acquired over the road within the twenty third over.
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo