Cuttack, December 22: Virat Kohli struck his 55th ODI fifty before a late cameo from Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja helped Team India pulled off a big run chase to beat West Indies by four wickets in the third and final ODI at Cuttack to win the series 2-1 on Sunday (December 22).
Earlier, Nicholas Pooran (89 from 64 balls) and Kieron Pollard (74 not out off 51) bludgeoned 118 runs off the last 10 overs to get the Windies up to an imposing 315-5 at the Barabati Stadium.
That was not sufficient for the tourists to secure a first bilateral ODI series win over India for 13 years, though, as the second-ranked side in the world reached their target in the penultimate over.
Rohit Sharma hit a run-a-ball 63, while KL Rahul (77) and Kohli (85) also made half-centuries before Ravindra Jadeja (39no) and Shardul Thakur (17no) finished off the job.
Keemo Paul was the pick of the bowlers with 3-59 and Shai Hope became the second-fastest to 3000 ODI runs, but that was scant consolation for Pollard's men.
Here's how the 3rd ODI panned out:
Virat Kohli, Indian skipper and the recipient of the Player of the Match award: Having done it so many times you obviously have bit more calmness about it, all you need is a mini partnership and the opposition will start to crumble. Shardul and Jaddu finshing is very good to see, these guys finishing the game is a much bigger thing. I had a nervous look when I walked back, but when I watched Jaddu he looked very confident. It's been one of the best years in Indian cricket and apart from the World Cup, its been a beautiful year. We will keep chasing the World Cup, we have that vision in place. Having a bunch of fast bowlers is a brilliant thing to have in Indian cricket and them taking the attention away from the spinners is a huge statement. We have it in us to win series overseas and our pacers deserve it fully. We are in the process of trying to find how people react to pressure. It's just about identyfing those people and that's something we will keep striving for.
Rohit Sharma, Player of the Series: It was a decider and we wanted to win this game and especially here in Cuttack it's a good batting track. It was a little sad that I couldn't bat longer, but then Rahul and Kohli batted well and I quite enjoyed that Shardul pull shot, it was much needed at that point. Extremely grateful for the year I had, the World Cup win would have been nice. The team gelled together collectively well and every individual stepped up which is a good sign. There is no way I'm stopping here and there's an exciting year coming up and I'm looking forward to it. I understand my batting really well and knowing the game plan you want to execute is very, very important. The challenge will come once we start travelling, we want to win games and want to stay on top.
Kohli shines in Team India's win in the last game of two decades.
India's last win of last decade:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 22, 2019
Target 316 - Kohli century
India's last win of this decade:
Target 316 - Kohli 85
Both successful run-chases!
Virat Kohli in international cricket!
#ViratKohli in international cricket
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) December 22, 2019
2016: 2595 runs
2017: 2818 runs
2018: 2735 runs
2019: 2455 runs
Kohli is the first player to aggregate 2000+ runs in four consecutive calendar years.#INDvWI
Virat Kohli gets man of the match. Rohit Sharma named Player of the Series.
Kieron Pollard, the losing captain: I don't think there is much to be disappointed actually. I'm very very proud of the guys and yes we faltered a bit with the ball and in the field, but India yet again pushed us hard and showed why there are the number one team in the world. Lots of exciting talent in our team and we all know what they are capable of. Hetmyer had a good couple of knocks, Pooran and his superb ball striking, Hope and his consistency and the salute guy Cottrell, I belive there is lot to look forward in the future. For me it's trying to contribute when its necessary and its been a good series for both teams.
Virat Kohli in 300+ ODI run chases: 31 innings 1743 runs Avg 62.25 SR 107.13 9 X 100s 6 X 50s HS 183 (vs Pak, Mirpur, 2012)
Most successful 300+ chases in ODIs: 17 India* | 11 England | 10 Australia/ Sri Lanka | 06 South Africa/ Pakistan.
CSK hails Jadeja-Shardul's match-winning cameo.
Final match of the series.
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 22, 2019
Final match of the year.
Final match of the decade.
And that's the finish we wanted.
Redemption comes in all colours.
But redemption, is redemption.#WhistlePodu #INDvWI @imShard @imjadeja 🦁💛
India WIN!! Beat WI by 4 wickets in Cuttack to seal series 2-1. Shardul Thakur 17* off 6 balls and Ravindra Jadeja 39* off 31 deliveries kept their calm to ensure India do not end up on the losing side.
Scores level in Cuttack.
Four! Jadeja gets a boundary off Paul. India need 3 from 10 deliveries
India reach 309/6 in 48 overs. 7 needed off 12 balls.
Four!! Shardul Thakur gets another boundary off Shardul Thakur
SIXXXX!! Shardul Thakur pulls Sheldon Cottrell and the ball sails into the stands for a maximum.
India reach 294/6, they need 22 off 18 balls.
Four! Shardul Thakur gets a boundary on the first delivery he faced.
BIG WICKET!! VIRAT KOHLI is played on for 85. Keemo Paul has done the trick for his team. India - 286/6 in 46.1 overs.
8 runs came from that Cottrell over, despite getting hit for a boundary on the second ball. India - 286/5 in 46 overs. 30 needed from 24 balls.
Four! Jadeja gets a boundary off Sheldon Cottrell towards cover region.
Four!! Ravindra Jadeja gets a boundary off Jason Holder. The bowler showed his experience in the death overs and kept things tight for the hosts as he conceded just 8 off it. 50-run partnership between Kohli and Jadeja. India - 278/5 in 45 overs.
India reach 270/5 in 44 overs. They need 36 off 36 deliveries. This game is going down the wire.
4,4! Back-to-back boundaries from Virat Kohli off Khary Pierre. He ends the over with a single and India reach 263/5 off 43 overs.
After 41 overs, India reach 248/5. The tourists are looking to keep the hosts under pressure.
After 40 overs, India are 237/5. They need 79 off 60 balls but this is the last recognized batting pair for the hosts.
WICKET!! Sheldon Cottrell gives India another big jolt as he clean bowls Kedar Jadhav for 9. Out comes the salute from Cottrell. India - 228/5 in 38.5 overs, they are in all sorts of trouble now.
After 38 overs, India reach 221/4 against West Indies. The tourists have bowled exceedingly well to pull this match back in their favour.
Virat Kohli slams his 55th ODI half-century. But there was no celebration from the Indian skipper.
WICKET!! Another jolt to India as Rishabh Pant (7) too falls cheaply and India lose their fourth wicket. Keemo Paul continues to pile pressure on India in the run chase. India - 201/4 in 35 overs.
200 comes up for India in the 35th over. They still have a long way to go.