Indore: India and West Indies will look to seize the upper hand in another likely bat-versus-ball contest when they face off in the third T20 International at the Holkar Stadium here on Sunday, with the five-match series level at 1-1 and bowlers on both sides still smarting from a run-fest in Ranchi.
The second T20I produced a staggering 501 runs, with West Indies chasing down India's 250 with more than an over to spare. Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford's 84 off 37 balls — after being dropped by Mayank Yadav on 38 at short fine leg — powered a 120-run stand off 54 balls that sealed the chase.
No respite expected in Indore
There is little prospect of immediate relief for the bowlers. The Holkar Stadium is traditionally a batter's haven with flat pitches and short boundaries, and dew is expected to play its part in the evening game, which starts at 7 PM IST.
The one bright spot with the ball in Ranchi came from West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase, whose 4-0-24-3 — including the wickets of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube — stood out on a day more than 500 runs were scored. India's spinners, by contrast, took a battering: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Naman Dhir conceded 141 runs in 9.3 overs for a single wicket. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again flagged the plight of bowlers after the onslaught.
Kuldeep on the verge of history
Kuldeep Yadav has a personal milestone in sight. The left-arm wrist-spinner has 98 wickets from 56 T20Is and needs just two more to reach 100 — which would make him the fastest Indian to the mark, ahead of Arshdeep Singh (64 matches), Jasprit Bumrah (81) and Axar Patel (98).
India will also be wary of Hope's extraordinary form — the West Indies captain has scored two centuries on this tour — while the hosts will bank on their batting firepower after piling up 249 in Ranchi and winning the opener in Lucknow behind Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I century. With dropped catches and missed chances proving decisive, execution across departments will decide who takes the series lead.
Sources:
India, West Indies Look For Upper Hand In Another Bat-versus-Bat Contest In 3rd T20I — NDTV
India vs West Indies 3rd T20I: can India's spinners cope in Indore? — Indian Express
Kuldeep Yadav On Verge Of Breaking Arshdeep Singh's Massive Record During 3rd T20I Against West Indies — Daily Jagran
The second T20I produced a staggering 501 runs, with West Indies chasing down India's 250 with more than an over to spare. Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford's 84 off 37 balls — after being dropped by Mayank Yadav on 38 at short fine leg — powered a 120-run stand off 54 balls that sealed the chase.
No respite expected in Indore
There is little prospect of immediate relief for the bowlers. The Holkar Stadium is traditionally a batter's haven with flat pitches and short boundaries, and dew is expected to play its part in the evening game, which starts at 7 PM IST.
The one bright spot with the ball in Ranchi came from West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase, whose 4-0-24-3 — including the wickets of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube — stood out on a day more than 500 runs were scored. India's spinners, by contrast, took a battering: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Naman Dhir conceded 141 runs in 9.3 overs for a single wicket. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again flagged the plight of bowlers after the onslaught.
Kuldeep on the verge of history
Kuldeep Yadav has a personal milestone in sight. The left-arm wrist-spinner has 98 wickets from 56 T20Is and needs just two more to reach 100 — which would make him the fastest Indian to the mark, ahead of Arshdeep Singh (64 matches), Jasprit Bumrah (81) and Axar Patel (98).
India will also be wary of Hope's extraordinary form — the West Indies captain has scored two centuries on this tour — while the hosts will bank on their batting firepower after piling up 249 in Ranchi and winning the opener in Lucknow behind Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I century. With dropped catches and missed chances proving decisive, execution across departments will decide who takes the series lead.
Sources:
India, West Indies Look For Upper Hand In Another Bat-versus-Bat Contest In 3rd T20I — NDTV
India vs West Indies 3rd T20I: can India's spinners cope in Indore? — Indian Express
Kuldeep Yadav On Verge Of Breaking Arshdeep Singh's Massive Record During 3rd T20I Against West Indies — Daily Jagran
