The final match of the West Indies tour of India delivered a gripping contest in Hyderabad, where India held their nerve to chase down 108 with just three balls left. Both teams produced impactful performances, but India’s ability to absorb pressure at crucial moments proved decisive. West Indies, despite a strong start and a late bowling surge, couldn’t prevent India from sealing the series with a 3-wicket win.
West Indies Innings
West Indies posted 107/6 in their 10 overs, led by a fluent effort from Brandon King and a blistering cameo from Roston Chase. King anchored the early phase with composed stroke play, while Chase injected momentum with an explosive nine-ball 30 that lifted the scoring rate dramatically. Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer supported the innings briefly but couldn’t convert starts into substantial contributions. India’s bowlers contained the scoring well, with Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Arshdeep Singh each picking up key wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin was expensive but removed Hetmyer at a crucial stage, breaking a threatening partnership. The innings eventually slowed after the fall of Chase, allowing India to restrict the visitors to a competitive but chaseable total.
India Innings
India began their run-chase strongly, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s commanding 34 from just 17 balls. His aggressive stroke play allowed India to stay ahead of the required rate despite losing partners at regular intervals. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul added valuable middle-order runs, keeping the innings stable even as West Indies found breakthroughs at the right times. The real turning point came from Romario Shepherd, who delivered a brilliant spell and dismantled India’s momentum with three vital wickets, creating tension in the Indian camp. As wickets continued to fall, India briefly appeared in trouble at 107/7. However, Shivam Dube and Ravichandran Ashwin showed composure in the final moments, guiding India across the line with just three deliveries left.
Conclusion
A match defined by pressure moments, the decider showcased standout performances from both sides. Rohit Sharma provided India with the ideal platform, while Romario Shepherd was exceptional with the ball and deservedly earned the Man of the Match award. In the end, India’s depth and calm under pressure secured a thrilling series victory, closing the tour with an unforgettable finish.