Team India went down by five wickets in the final ODI against the West Indies in Mullanpur. However, they secured the three-match series by a 2-1 scoreline.
There were a few concerns for the Men in Blue from the rubber, which featured plenty of players struggling with injuries. A few players didn’t have particularly impressive performances, too. At the same time, though, there were a few bright takeaways.
On that note, here are three big positives for Team India from their 2-1 series win over the West Indies.
#3 Rohit Sharma was at his destructive best
Rohit Sharma came into the ODI series against the Windies on the back of a century and carried on from where he left off. The former Indian skipper got off to a good start in the opening ODI before making two big scores in the next two matches.
In the third ODI, even though conditions weren’t helpful for batting, Rohit hung in there. He saw off the tricky initial period before cashing in and nearly making his second successive century. The star batter seems determined to be on the flight to South Africa.
#2 Naman Dhir and Kuldeep Yadav showed glimpses of spin-bowling pedigree
Kuldeep Yadav hadn’t been in great form in the lead-up to the West Indies ODI series, but he showed glimpses of his best. The left-arm wrist-spinner helped himself to a Player of the Match award, and on the whole, his rhythm seemed better.
In the absence of Washington Sundar, India fielded Naman Dhir for his off-spin as the sixth bowler. Dhir too did a good job, keeping the runs down and chipping in with the odd wicket. The duo needed to deliver against a team known to struggle against spin in the middle overs, and they did.
#1 Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli are two of the world’s best ODI batters – and they continue to prove that
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli are two generational batters whose paths have crossed with the Indian team, and they seem intent on proving that at every opportunity. Gill, who notched up a double century and a ton, helped himself to the Player of the Series award. Kohli, who rampaged his way to a century of his own, seemed to be in great nick as well.
India need quality players of pace in South Africa for the World Cup. Gill and Kohli are exactly that – and they dominated the Windies to prove that they’re in great form at the moment.
Edited by Sai Krishna
