India's back-up opener and star Mumbai all-rounder among biggest gainers from India vs West Indies ODI series

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India's 3-match ODI series against West Indies ended with a 2-1 win following their thrashing of the hosts by 200 runs in the third and final ODI at The Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.

India lost five wickets while chasing 115 in the first ODI before getting bundled out for 181 and losing the second ODI by six wickets. However, their performance in the decider was clinical. They piled up 351 runs for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs before wrapping up West Indies' innings for 151 in 35.3 overs.

The series was India's last assignment in the 50-over format before the Asia Cup 2023, and therefore a chance for many to grab the attention of the selectors. Three players made the most of the opportunities. Let's have a look.

Ishan Kishan: Being touted as India's back-up opener for the World Cup 2023, Ishan Kishan made the most of the three matches by scoring 184 runs in three matches at an average of 61.33 and a strike rate of 111.51. He hit a fifty in each of the three matches. He was the only Indian batter to score 50-plus runs in the first and second ODI.

In the third match, he slammed 77 runs off just 64 balls to give India a cracking start. The foundation laid by him saw India breach the 350-run mark. Kishan consistency and attacking cricket made all the good noise ahead of the Asia Cup 2023.

Shardul Thakur: In the absence of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, the Mumbai all-rounder got the charge of India's pace attack and he did not disappoint. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series. Thakur picked 8 wickets in three matches at an average of 11.62 and an economy rate of 5.31. A few crucial runs from his bat would have been the icing on the cake for him but regardless he handled his key responsibility beautifully.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in sub-continent conditions. Thakur averages 21.50 and carries a strike rate of 125.24 in the subcontinent conditions. Overall, he comes across as a lucrative package for the selectors who would be really tempted to pick a quality all-rounder in Shardul Thakur in the Asia Cup squad.

Kuldeep Yadav: The chinaman bowler has emerged as the leading spinner for India ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. He played all the three ODIs ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal who was benched throughout the series.

Ravindra Jadeja partnered him in all the three ODIs, while Axar Patel got the opportunity in just the last ODI. Jadeja picked three wickets in the series and Patel failed to pick any wicket in the two overs he got to bowl in the second ODI.

Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, finished the series as the second-highest wicket-taker after Thakur. He picked seven wickets at an average of 8.71 and an economy rate of 3.21. In the first ODI, the left-arm spinner picked four wickets for six runs in three overs.