India wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 T20 series whitewash against the West Indies, winning the third T20 by 7 wickets. Winning the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli elected to field first. Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja were rested for the game which brought in KL Rahul and debutant Rahul Chahar – the Chahar cousins, Deepak and Rahul, fulfilling their lifelong dream of playing for India together.
The Windies batsmen had a better day than they have had this entire series, though they started disastrously. Deepak Chahar ran through the top three batsmen, reducing the Windies to 14/3 within four overs. Chahar bowled three consecutive overs and had figures of 3 for 4 at the end of it.
It was the big hitting West Indian batsman Kieron Pollard who came to the rescue of the Men in Maroon. Batting at number 4, Pollard showed just how dangerous he can be with some clean hitting – he smashed six sixes and one four, eventually falling for 58 off 45 balls, bowled by Navdeep Saini.
Half centurion from the previous game Rovman Powell continued his good form. His 32 off 20 balls propelling the West Indies to a respectable 146/6 in their 20 overs.
KL Rahul (20 off 18 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (3 off 5 balls) didn’t trouble the scoreboard much, both falling soon after one another. But Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant took firm control of the innings ensuring that India were never in trouble in their chase.
Pant had fallen cheaply in the first two T20s and had a point to prove. He showed just how dangerous a batsman he can be, smashing four sixes and four fours on his way to 65* off just 42 balls.
Kohli held up the other end, with a vital 59 off 45 balls – the duo came together at 27/2 in the fifth over and the scoreboard was at 133/3 when Kohli fell. Pant and Manish Pandey brought India home – a comfortable 7 wicket win.
India wrapped up the T20 series with a 3-0 win and will now play the first ODI against the Windies on August 8.
