The youthful opener Shubman Gill and India's skipper for the ODI series Shikhar Dhawan put on a century partnership as the visitors initially amassed a mammoth 308/7 in 50 overs before winning the tense first match of the three-match series by three runs at the Queen's Park Oval on Saturday (IST).
Dhawan missed the century by only three runs, but Gill, who was making his ODI comeback after December 2020, played as though he had everything to prove. He scored an incredible 64 off just 53 balls.
The 22-year-old Gill displayed exceptional class as he hammered the West Indies pacers for boundaries during the powerplay, scoring 41 runs off 28 deliveries in the first 10 overs and quickly reaching his first ODI half-century off just 36 deliveries.
While playing second fiddle at the other end, Dhawan continued to score at a good rate as the pair reached their 100-run partnership in just 14 overs. The captain also reached his half-century, which was his 36th in ODI cricket.
It took something exceptional to end the partnership since both batters were scoring quickly, and Nicholas Pooran delivered a magnificent direct hit to get Gill out for 64.
The West Indies were able to sneak in a few quiet overs, but Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer batted coolly to prevent the hosts from making any further progress. Despite a few short-pitched deliveries, Iyer destroyed the spinners.
Dhawan appeared to be on track for his 18th ODI century, but a brilliant catch by Shamarh Brooks ended his innings just three runs shy of a century. Iyer (54) also failed shortly after turning fifty. India was in great control at 231/3 with 14 overs remaining and appeared to be on track to achieve a huge total. The visitors were forced back by the West Indies bowlers, who fought back valiantly by continuing to peg at the wickets.
With contributions from Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel, India finished with 308/7, surpassing the 300-point mark.
The West Indies chase got off to a strong start despite losing Shai Hope early in the innings owing to a 117-run second-wicket stand between Kyle Mayers (75) and Shamarh Brooks (46), who provided the foundation for their colleagues. While frequently losing partners at the other end, Brandon King (54), who reached his third ODI fifty, effectively led the chase.
With seven wickets in the final 15 overs, West Indies just needed to score 120 runs. The Indian bowlers had different ideas, preventing them from pulling off an unprecedented run chase. The dangerous Nicholas Pooran (25) was initially removed by Mohammed Siraj, and Rovman Powell (6) quickly followed his captain to the pavilion when Yuzvendra Chahal claimed the first of his two wickets.
With the final three overs, Akeal Hosein (32 not out) and Romario Shepherd (39 not out) launched a late blitz that brought their team to within 38 runs of the mark. The Indian pacers survived the late onslaught, with Siraj successfully protecting 15 runs in the penultimate over.
Brief scores: India 308/7 in 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 97, Shubman Gill 64, Shreyas Iyer 54; Alzarri Joseph 2/61, Gudakesh Motie 2/54) beat West Indies 305/6 in 50 overs (Kyle Mayers 75, Shamarh Brooks 46, Brandon King 54, Akeal Hosein 32 not out, Romario Shepherd 39 not out) by three runs.