World champions India were trumped by half-centuries from Darren Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan that guided the West Indies to a second consolation victory in the final one-day international on Thursday.
India’s bowlers conceded 96 inside the last 10.4 overs as the West Indies, in pursuit of 252 for victory, hit the jackpot with 14 balls remaining. India appeared to be in control of the match, despite a career-best 86 from Bravo and 75 retired hurt from Sarwan, but they failed to maintain the pressure in the closing overs and Kieron Pollard formalized the result, when he dragged a delivery from Ishant Sharma through mid-on for four.
“Credit to our bowlers, the way they got us back into the match because at one stage it looked like we would chase something much bigger, but Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard gave us a few key breakthroughs, and it was good to see how we were able to pull things back,” West Indies captain Darren Sammy said.
Photo: AFP
India won the five-match series 3-2. They had failed to build on 94 from Virat Kohli and 57 from Rohit Sharma, and they were dismissed for 251 in 47.3 overs.
Kohli struck 10 boundaries from 104 balls, while Sharma hit two fours and one six from 72 deliveries in a 110-run stand for the second wicket, propping up India after they were sent in to bat on a hard, bouncy Sabina Park pitch and they stumbled to 79 for three in the 17th over.
When Kohli was run out in the 36th over, failing to beat Sarwan’s throw to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr, the visitors batting collapsed under mean, purposeful West Indies bowling. The world champions lost their last seven wickets for 62 in the space of 70 deliveries, as Andre Russell captured four for 35 from 8.3 overs that later earned him the man-of-the-match award.
Yusuf Pathan threatened to turn the tide for India, but Russell had him caught behind for 30 in the 46th over at the height of the carnage. Pollard took two for 39 from eight overs, while Kemar Roach took two for 52 from his allotment of 10 overs to support Russell in the demolition of the India batting.
India restricted the West Indies to 53 for two in the 16th over, when Sarwan joined Bravo at the crease.
India failed to make further headway until they got a bit of fortune, Sarwan forced to retire hurt with severe cramps after the 38th over. However, the visitors could not seize the moment as Bravo took charge, hitting Mishra for a pair of sixes in his penultimate over, galloping the West Indies to their target.
The leg-spinner got his revenge when he had the left-hander stumped in the 46th over, leaving Pollard and Samuels to take the West Indies over the finish line.
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