India Win The Series As The 3rd Test Ends In A Draw

Series Victory For India

When players from both teams shook hands on day 5, the score card read India: 94/3 of 32 over’s in their second innings. It was sign that both captains had agreed for a draw. There were still 90 balls to be bowled. India needed 86 runs runs of the remaining 15 over’s, but captain Dhoni said he didn’t wish to risk losing the series.

The 3rd test match between India and West Indies ended in a draw. And India had won the test series 1-0, after having the ODI series 3-2. With victory in the one-off T20 game in the beginning of the tour India had emerged successful in all forms of cricket played in the Caribbean during the current tour.

Although India had won the test series, it was clear that current Indian team lacked the killer instincts. I personally felt disappointed as I had expected Indians to play like true champions and dominate the entire series.

 

Brilliant cricket by West Indies

Two batsmen who played brilliant cricket in the 3rd test match were Kirk Edwards and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Edwards made 110 runs of 195 balls and Chanderpaul played a brilliant knock of 116(343 balls). For the record Chanderpaul hit his 23rd test hundred in this match and remained not out at the end of 2nd Innings of West Indies. Fidel Edwards and Chanderpaul added 65 runs for the 9th wicket. This was a key partnership and frustrated the Indian bowlers for sure.

Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma picked 6 wickets each in the 3rd test match for India. Ishant Sharma picked 5/77 in 1st innings and Bhaji picked 4/75 runs in 2nd Innings for India. 

Chanderpaul deservingly won the man of the match award and Ishant Sharma won the man of the series title for his 22 wickets haul in the series. This is record in itself for Ishant, as his 22 wickets are the most by an Indian fast bowler in a three-Test series.

Coming up next for team India is their tour to England. India’s focus is now shifted on to their first Test against England at Lord’s on July 21.

Ind vs WI: Brilliant Batting by Bravo steers WI to 7-wkt win, India bag the series 3-2

West Indies Win The 5th ODI

After a good show in the first 3 matches it was expected that Indians will have a smooth series and might even have whitewash victory of 5-0 against West Indies. But alas it was not to be, as WI not only won the 4th ODI but also ensured they win the 5th and final game at Kingston.


Darren Bravo also being hailed as Brian Lara Clone was at his best in this match and hit a career-best 86. West Indies contentedly defeated India by seven wickets in the fifth and final ODI. West Indies were chasing a target of 252, brilliant batting by Bravo and Ram Naresh Sarwan ensured they reach the target in 48.4 overs. In the end it was morale boosting victory for WI as they were able to reduce the series score to 3-2.


Ram Naresh Sarwan (75) and Darren Bravo (86) added 103 runs for the third wicket. Marlon Samuels (28) and Kieron Pollard (24) both not out till the end of game ensured that the good work of Sarwan and Bravo did not go in wane.


Earlier in the day Indian team put up a fighting score of 251 runs on board. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both batted stupendously. Kohli looked confident enough to hit his first century of the series was unfortunately run-out at 94 (104 balls, 10x4). He along with Rohit Sharma (57, 72 balls, 2x4, 1x6) stitched together a partnership of 110 runs for fourth wicket.


Indian team however lost the momentum and the infamous fall of wickets like a pack of cards was at display again. India lost seven wickets for only 62 runs in 11.3 overs, middle and lower-order batsmen failed to make a mark.

India Win The ODI Series 3-2 In WI

Although having lost the final match of the ODI series India still won the 5 match ODI series 3-2.


The man of the match for the fifth ODI was WI pacer Andre Russell for picking up four wickets in 8.3 overs.


Indian middle order batsman Rohit Sharma was awarded with the man of the series award. He scored 257 runs with a stunning average of 128.50 in the five one day games against WI.


Now all the action shifts to the test series. Test series is the real cricket as every cricket fan rightly says. We will see the return of Dhoni and senior players like Dravid. Hope Indians are able to end the tour on a good note with series victory in Test’s as well.