Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
West Indies managed to salvage some pride after beating India by a huge margin of 103 runs in the fourth ODI at Antigua.
India 3-0 up in the series lost their first match after crowned as World Champions, putting an end to a seven match-winning streak.
Chasing a target of 250, India got all out in 39 overs with only 146 runs on the board.
Courtesy: AP
Duncan Fletcher was all praise for this young Indian side before the game, an implosion by the team, where batsmen got out with outrageous shot selection.
India slide began with the departure of debutant Tiwary; he was dropped earlier but could not capitalize his chance and got out for 2.
Soon Patel joined him in the pavilion and then there was no partnership as everyone going back in the hut quite cheaply.
Badrinath was pinged by Russell’s bouncers; he soon gloved one bouncer to the keeper.
Kohli (22 off 23 balls) looked confident until Keeper Baugh of the bowling of Martin smartly took off his bails in a flash.
Rohit Sharma was looking solid and was progressing towards a partnership when skipper Raina played a careless shot to give away his wicket.
This was the highest partnership in Indian innings adding just 29 runs.
Yusuf Pathan’s woes continued to haunt him as he failed to curb his shot making and got out for 1.
He has made 12 runs in last 3 innings.
Things worsened when Rohit Sharma went for an inexplicable attempt, which was grabbed by Bravo in a brilliant manner. He top-scored with 39 runs.
The remaining Indian batsmen too gave in meekly as the innings folded at 146.
West Indies main performer Bishoo was left out of the squad but still the bowlers came to the party due to their hard work.
An improved display from Windies with Andre Russell and Martin were the pick of bowlers.
Martin was Man of the Match for his 4/36 while Russell scalped 3 important wickets proving that he is an all-rounder with oodles of potential.
Sammy grabbed two and Simmons got one wicket.
Roach looked well in this game. He was economical as he only gave 22 runs in his 8 overs but failed to get any wicket.
Earlier, Suresh Raina again won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Simmons and Pollard helped the wobbling Windies post their highest score of the tournament finishing off with 249/8.
The hosts made a dreadful start losing two wickets inside first five overs, score 12/2.They lost Danza Hyatt and a big wicket of Sarwan who got out quite easily.
However, Simmons kept on going, hitting a six and a four in Ishant Sharma’s next over. Simmons and rebuilt it with a stand of 53 for the third wicket before Amit Mishra made his mark removing Darren Bravo.
Marlon Samuels was the next batsmen to get out, harshly adjudged LBW to Mishra’s googly.
Simmons brave-heart effort could not last too long as got run-out for 67.
He notched up his half –century with three fours and three sixes. West Indies were 103/5.
The visitors were put on back-foot when Pollard and Baugh added 96 runs for the sixth wicket.
Big-hitting Pollard added respectability to his innings with his 72 balls 70 runs hitting six fours and two sixes, while Baugh made 39 runs.
Man of the Match in the last game, Andre Russell kept the momentum going towards the end, he made a quick fire 25 runs off just 14 deliveries.
Praveen Kumar exploited the slowness of the track to pick up three wickets for 39 while Mishra continues his to expand his wickets column to nine wickets in the series as he claimed two more wickets.
Ashwin and Ishant Sharma got wicket apiece.
Sammy praised his bowlers for their efforts and Simmons and Pollard’s valuable contributuion.He lauded his Team character.
While Raina blamed his team’s poor shot-selection and temperament to stay on the wicket which was good for batting.
India brought in Ashwin,Tiwary and I.Sharma replacing Harbhajan,Dhawan and Munaf Patel.
West Indies rested Bishoo and Edwards and brought in Darren Bravo and Anthony Martin.
India having won the series leads it 4-1 with the final ODI will be played on Thursday as the two teams will head towards a new destination to Kingston, Jamaica. Next game is at Sabina Park.
Visitors will surely look to end this on a winning note before they gear up for the Tests while the hosts would feel that their success kick-starts from today and will try to make another 3-2 series loss as they did against Pakistan a month ago.
