Kanpur: Shikhar Dhawan(119) and Yuvraj Singh (55) helped India overhaul West Indies score of 263 with 23 balls and five wickets to spare in the 3rd ODI and clinch the series 2-1 here at Green park Wednesday.
India, despite losing opener Rohit Sharma, never looked in trouble while chasing and were always in control of the game.
Man of the match Shikhar Dhawan dominated the West Indian bowlers by hitting boundaries at will.
After losing Rohit(4) when the score was 29, Dhawan was joined by Virat Kohli, the man of the series, but he too departed soon making just 19. He was caught behind the wicket off Ravi Rampaul.
For Yuvraj Singh his 55 runs stay at crease must have given him a lot of confidence as he was desperately looking for runs. He along with Dhawan added 129 runs for the third wicket. Yuvi adter completing his fifty, looked determined to play a much longer inning but was done in by Narine who constantly bothered him with his deceptive deliveries.
Suresh Raina too needed to stay at the crease as like Yuvi, he was also struggling with the bat. Dhawan added 29 runs with Raina and got out playing a tired looking shot. He faced 95 balls for his 119 which include 20 boundaries.
It was a perfect setting for Raina to get back in to form as India were very comfortable but he was caught behind off Dwayne Bravo when he was on 34.
Skipper Dhoni and Jadeja did the rest and ensured India did not lose any more wickets. Dhoni remained not out on 23 and Jadeja on 2.
For West Indies rampaul and Bravo took two wickets each while the most economical bowler Sunil Narine tool one wicket.
Earlier 117 runs partnership between Powell and Samuels for second wicket helped West Indies set a target of 264 for India in the third and the final ODI of the series here Wednesday at green Park.
Put in to bat by India, West Indies, who displayed some gutsy batting in the previous game, looked to repeat the performance despite losing Charles earlier at 20, but some tight bowling by Ashwin and Jadeja restricted the visitors.
India had to wait for almost 25 overs for second wicket as Powell and Samuels, who has not been in his best form on this tour, played sensible cricket and did not take any risk. Powell, who found a place in the playing eleven because of injured Chris Gayle, was frustrated by some tight bowling by Ashwin. After completing his fifty he tried to sweep Ashwin but ball took an upper edge and Dhawan took a very simple catch at short fine leg. Powell faced 81 ball for his 70 with nine hits to the fence.
Samuels finally looked like finding his touch he too completed his fifty but he too departed when West Indies needed him the most. He was bowled by Ashwin. He took 91 balls for his 71 runs which include seven boundaries and a six.
With two new batsmen at the crease, the Indian bowlers tightened the noose and Darren Bravo and Simmons had to work hard for each run. Simmons was the next to go as he tried to cut Jadeja but in the process edged the ball to Dhoni behind the wicket. He contributed 13 runs.
Captain Dwayne Bravo tried to accelerate the inning but was caught by Ashwing off Shami, making just four runs. After West Indies were down five wickets for 196 in 41.5 overs, Bravo and Sammy saw to it that they make a respectable score, Bravo remained not out on 51 off 53 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. Sammy too made quick 37 off 27 balls and remained not out.
For India Ashwin took two wickets and Kumar, Shami and Jadeja shared one wicket each.
