IND vs WI, 3rd ODI HIGHLIGHTS: Shardul Thakur’s Heroic Cameo Propels India To 4-Wicket Win Vs Windies At Cuttack  

With the ODI series on the line in what also marks the last bilateral one day international engagement for either sides before the year draws to a close, the Men in Blue and the Maroon Brigade would eye nothing but a win to close out their white ball campaign on a high by winning IND vs WI, 3rd ODI

Photo: ICC (Twitter)

The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack will be the venue for the one-day international series decider between India and West Indies on Sunday, with both the teams tied at 1-1 in the 3-match affair. With the ODI series on the line in what also marks  the last bilateral one day international engagement for either sides before the year draws to a close, the Men in Blue and the Maroon Brigade would eye nothing but a win to close out their white ball campaign on a high. Catch All LIVE UPDATES Here:  09:40 pm - A fantastic cameo from Shardul Thakur (17 runs off 6 balls)after a solid partnership from Virat Kohli (85) and Ravindra Jadeja (39) powered team India to a thrilling 4-wicket win against West Indies in the series-decider at Cuttack on Sunday. Team India win the final series of the year 2-1 in a dramatic finish and their top three batsmen hit half-centuries as they won the final ODI in a tense finish to win the three-match series 2-1. With this win Virat and Co. won their final 50-overs match of 2019 to attain 10th successive ODI series win.

1⃣7⃣ runs off 6 balls! ????

Shardul Thakur, you will be remembered for a DECADE NOW! ????#SaddaPunjab #INDvWI @imShard — Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) December 22, 2019

09:29 pm -  Can Jadeja Guide India To Victory ?

pic.twitter.com/aTzCRPFpZP

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

09:23 pm -  Skipper Virat Kohli (85) departs after playing another gem of an innings ! Speedster Keemo Paul gets the BIG BREAKTHROUGH and there's pin drop silence at the ground! India still need 30 from 23 balls.

In the last five years this is the first time Kohli has got out in the 80s or 90s in an ODI chase. #IndvWI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 22, 2019

MILESTONE ! Virat Kohli Goes Past Jacques Kallis To Achieve Major Milestone In ODIs ! Team India skipper Virat Kohli surpassed former South Africa Jacques Kallis to become 7th highest run-getter in ODI cricket. Kohli joined the elite list of batting greats like Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Ki gal hai Jadduuuu! ????????

He takes some pressure off his captain as he picks up a timely boundary. Kohli loves it, we love it, too. ???? 38 to win from 30 balls.#SaddaPunjab #INDvWI — Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) December 22, 2019

09:08 pm - Skipper Virat Kohli is taking India closer in the nail-biting chase at Cuttack ! The skipper hit Pierre for 10 runs in the 43rd over consisting of two lovely fours to move onto 78. Can India win the thrilling series-decider ? IND (269/5) need 47 runs in 37 balls to win.

10 runs come off that over as the King continues to play the field! What a contest this is turning out to be. ????????- 263/5(43)#INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

09:01 pm - With skipper Kohli (67*) and senior batsman Jadeja (9*) in the middle, team India now have 5 wickets in hand and need 68 runs from 54 balls to win ! 08:55 pm - Can CHASE MASTER Virat Kohli produce yet another masterclass in a run-chase?

40 overs gone. ???????? still need 79 runs to win in the last 10 overs, with 5 wickets in hand. #INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

08:49 pm - BOWLED ! Just when things looked to work for team India, Windies paceman Cottrell bowled a super yorker to 'destroy' Kedar Jadhav's stumps. The star bowler did his salute celebration after cleaning the Indian all-rounder for 9 off 10 balls. Virat Kohli is running out of partners with half of his team back in the pavilion! India are 228/5 after 38.5 overs and need another 81 runs in 62 balls to win.

????????v????#INDvWI ANOTHER WICKET FALLS!! Cottrell you beauty!!

Live Scorecard⬇️https://t.co/IyLhZoE9lk pic.twitter.com/7whZD8AaVe — Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 22, 2019

08:39 pm - A fighting fifty ! CHASE MASTER Virat Kohli produces yet another batting masterclass to bring up his FIFTY ! India are 221/4 need 95 runs in 73 balls to win.

Welcome 4️⃣! This should ease some pressure. Need another master class in chasing down a total from the Master tonight. #INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

08:34 pm - Another wicket falls for India ! Keemo Paul gets his second wicket by sending Rishabh Pant back to the pavilion for as he chopped Paul's delivery back onto the stumps. Windies have bowled brilliantly to give India a good fight in the chase after they started so well. The hosts are now in a spot bother after losing two wickets in quick succession (Iyer & Pant) . All-rounder Jadhav joins Virat Kohli in the middle who'll be looking for a partnership to help India cross the line. India (210/4) need 106 runs in 80 balls to win.

Three wickets fall in quick succession for India!

Can the Windies capitalise, or will Kohli carry his side to victory?#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/lLnLVESgGt — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2019

08:25 pm - After Rohit's dismissal, skipper Virat Kohli joined joined KL Rahul (77) in the run chase with team india as favourites to win the series decider. Both the Indian openers depart after their respective half centuries. After KL Rahul's dismissal, Shreyas Iyer's (7) stay at the crease was short as Joseph took a good low catch in the deep off Keemo Paul's bowling to dismiss the in-form batsman.  Iyer's departure has certainly pegged back Team India's run-chase. India (200/3) need another 116 runs in 94 balls  to win.

2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ up for ????????! Capt. Kohli calming things down at the crease. Need him to stay till the end. #INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

07: 31 pm - OUT ! Team India lose their 1st WICKET ! Jason Holder breaks the opening partnership after getting explosive opener Rohit Sharma (63) edge one behind to the wicket-keeper. Chase-master Virat Kohli is the next man to the crease. India are 124/1 after 22 overs.

????????v????#INDvWI Big Jase!!! ????????The opening partnership is broken!

IND 122/1(21.1 ov) Live Scorecard ⬇️https://t.co/IyLhZoE9lk pic.twitter.com/DrlOIdE2AL — Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 22, 2019

07: 26 pm - India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul continue to build their strong partnership after scoring half-centuries. Windies are now under immense pressure and desperately need a wicket to get back into the game. India are 122/1 after 21.2 overs and need 194 more runs to win. 07:11 pm - An over later after KL Rahul Ro'HITMAN' Sharma attains his 43rd ODI Fifty- his 2nd consecutive 50-plus score in this series. Indian openers have crossed 50+ partnership 8 times in ODIs and all the 8 times they went on to covert that into century partnership.

Fifty for the Hitman!

Can you define his 2019 in one word? ???????? - 102/0 (17.3)#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 22, 2019

07:06 pm - KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have continued their form from Visakhapatnam (2nd ODI) and have played some breathtaking shots in pursuit of a solid 316-run target. Their fiery start has put team India in a commanding position and on top of the run chase in the series-decider at Cuttack. Kl Rahul brings up his 5th ODI fifty and after 16 overs it's a century stand too between the Indian openers. India are 102/0 and need another 214 runs to win.

KL Rahul brings up his 5️⃣0️⃣! #INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

07:00 pm - A great start !

End of 15 overs, both the openers are cruising along. Rahul- 43 Rohit- 46 ????????- 91/0#INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

06:51 pm - Despite change of bowlers by the Windies skipper, team India are playing some cracking shots against the visitors bowling attack. Apart from the hard-hitting, good running between the wickets has helped the hosts flourish at this point in the game. India are 83/0 after 13.2 overs and need another 232 runs to win. MILESTONE ! Team India star opener Rohit Sharma (2388 runs) has surpassed former Sri Lanka player Sanath Jayasuriya as the leading run-scorer in a calendar year across all formats.

#TeamIndia are off to a solid start ????

Rohit: 34* (33) Rahul: 25* (27) ???????? - 59/0 (10)#INDvWI #TeamIndia #OrangeArmy — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 22, 2019

06:32 pm - Team India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul attain a FIFTY-run partnership at Cuttack to give team India a positive start in pursuit of 316. Pollard has brought Cottrell back into the attack as the Windies are looking to get a much-needed breakthrough. Meanwhile, skipper Virat Kohli is still in the dressing room. India are 53/0 after nine overs and need 263 runs to win.

5️⃣0️⃣ up for #TeamIndia! A good foundation laid by both these both openers. #INDvWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

06:25 pm - Windies paceman Cottrell came up with a pretty strong comeback in the fifth over as he managed to stop the run flow. However, it was only for some time as HITMAN Rohit Sharma continued his hard-hitting in the next over by hitting Holder for two beautiful boundaries. Windies skipper Pollard has now introduced right-arm paceman Keemo Paul into the attack. India are 43/0 after 7 overs and need 270 runs 268 runs to win.

Ro-Rahul attack at Cuttack!

The Indian openers are off to a positive start in pursuit of 316. ???????? - 46/0 (7.2)#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 22, 2019

06:10 pm - After a maiden first over, India openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have started to showcase their hitting ability at Cuttack as both batsmen are playing some confident shots. While KL Rahul started his innings with a blistering four, his partner Rohit Sharma smashed the ball for some fiery fours and a huge six into the orbit. India are 25/0 after 4 overs and need 291 runs to win. 06:02 pm - For India, openers Rohit and Rahul came to the middle to begin the chase. The duo will look to repeat their magical knock from the second ODI to take team India across the line and create history !

Can #TeamIndia finish the year with a win? ????

The boys require 316 ????#INDvWI ???? @BCCI pic.twitter.com/c8VNqNrOv6 — Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 22, 2019

05:34 pm - No team has ever chased down a 300+ total in ODIs at the Barabati Stadium ! Can team India create HISTORY !!!

05:25 pm - A solid record-breaking 135-run partnership between Kieron Pollard (74 off 51 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (89 off 64 balls) powered West Indies to 315/5 against India at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack in the series-decider on Sunday. The late fireworks from Pooran and skipper Pollard gave their squad a fighting chance against team India and ensured that the Windies breach the 300-run mark at Cuttack.The hard-hitting batting duo smashed young India speedsters Saini and Shardul Thakur for fours and sixes in the death overs to finish strongly.

The solid partnership between Pollard and Pooran in now the highest 5th wicket p'ship for West Indies against India. Pooran's entertaining innings came to an end after he got dismissed for a fine 89 off 64 balls knock. West Indies' top-six batsmen have all crossed 20 runs today. The last such instance for any team against India was in 2013 - England at Rajkot.

West Indies close on 315/5, with Pollard unbeaten on 74 including seven 6️⃣s!

The last five overs went for 77 runs ???? #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/8lbASB7nLG — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2019

Team India's Catching Woes Continue in third ODI vs Windies:

- Jadeja drops Evin Lewis on 12 off debutant Navdeep Saini in the ninth over.

- 'Under-fire' Pant drops Shimron Hetmyer's catch off Jadeja behind the stumps in the 25th over.

- Kuldeep Yadav drops Hetmyer's catch at fine leg off Saini in the 30th over. -Pant drops Roston Chase off Kuldeep Yadav when the batsman was yet to open his account.

Team India's catching during the ongoing ODI series and the preceding T20I series against Windies has been a cause of worry.

In the last 10 years India have had 9 successful 300-plus chases, Kohli has scored centuries in 7 of those.

Yusuf Pathan (v NZ, Bengaluru) and Manish Pandey (v Aus, SCG) the exceptions. Will it be upto Kohli again today to seal the series?#IndvWI — Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 22, 2019

05:05 pm - Pollard and Pooran Looks To Finish Strongly !

Pollard and Pooran are scoring quick runs as West Indies aim to finish strongly.

Partnership - 116* off 91 balls. WI - 260/4 (46.3)#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 22, 2019

04:47 pm - FIFTY ! Nicholas Pooran brings up back-to-back half-centuries in STYLE ! Pooran smashed Kuldeep Yadav for 16 runs in 43rd over that consisted of two sixes to score his fifty in 43 balls. Can his late fireworks help Windies post a decent total against India? Windies are 234/4 after 44 overs . 04:42 pm - With final 8 overs to go, Windies batsman are swinging their bat hard on almost every delivery to accelerate their run rate. The disciplined bowling by the Indian bowlers, especially in the death overs can prove to be the key factor for team India that will help them restrict the Windies batsman at a low first innings total at Cuttack. Windies are 210/4 after 42 overs. 04:28 pm - Stunning batting display from Nicholas Pooran ! First, he plays a beautiful stroke in the 39th over to hit paceman Shami for a four that went just past fielder Kuldeep Yadav. In the very next over, Pooran stunned Shardul Thakur by smashing his length ball way back over the long-off boundary for a huge SIX ! Windies are 197/4 after 40 overs. 04:23 pm - Windies skipper Kieron Pollard decides to go BIG against Kuldeep Yadav ! Pollard uses his brute power to send Yadav's two lose deliveries over the boundary rope for two unbelievable huge SIXES ! Windies are 180/4 after 38 overs . 04:15 pm - With final 15 overs to go, all-rounder Jadeja finished his spell with  figures of 1/54. After two major blows from Saini, skipper Pollard and Pooran are not going for the big hits and are dealing in just singles. Windies are 161/4 after 35 overs. 04:06 pm - Navdeep Saini Scars Pollard With His Cracking YORKER !

Back to the series decider in Cuttack where a Navdeep Saini yorker has hit Kieron Pollard on his toe.

WI - 152/4 (33.2)#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 22, 2019

03:55 pm - TWO WICKETS FOR SAINI ! Debut boy Saini dismissed Hetmyer (37) and Roston Chase (38) in quick successions to give two major blows to West Indies. Windies skipper Pollard joins Pooran at the crease after 32 overs, the visitors are 145/4 and they need to play hard from here to post a good first innings total against India at a high-scoring Cuttack pitch.

Drinks in Cuttack as Navdeep Saini takes his second wicket ☝️

He's having a good debut!#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/vku9AXVYTw — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2019

03:00 pm -  CLEAN BOWLED ! West Indies lose their second wicket after fast bowler Mohammed Shami pierce gap through in-form Shai Hope's bat-pad gate to give team India a crucial breakthrough. Left-handed batsman Shimron Hetmyer is the next Windies batsman to the crease. WI are 70/0 after 19.2 overs.

Bowled! Shami castles the in-form Hope! Windies lose their second wicket. WI- 70/2#INDvsWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

02:42 pm - OUT ! Ravindra Jadeja finally gets the BIG BREAKTHROUGH in the 15th over !

Windies opener Evin Lewis lost his cool and his wicket at the same time - the pressure of not scoring runs against spinners was telling on him. Lewis skies one to the deep, where Navdeep Saini, who had a lot of time to set himself up, held an easy catch.

Meanwhile, Shai Hope is now the fastest West Indies batsman to score 3000 runs in ODIs, and the second fastest ever. Windies are 57/1 after 15 overs.

Finally the breakthrough that we've been looking for! Jadeja strikes in the 15th over. West Indies- 57/1.#INDvsWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 22, 2019

02:30 pm -DROPPED ! Lewis is dropped by one of India's best fielders Ravindra Jadeja on 14 !

Hard-hitting opener Lewis smashed Shami for a beautiful four to end the 10th over. Skipper Kohli was seen having a long chat with his bowlers as he looked desperate to break the partnership between the Windies batsmen. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav has now been introduced into the attack. The Chinaman bowler will look to get his 100th ODI wicket.

The scoreboard reads 44/0 after first 10 overs.

The Windies opening pair is still intact with Hope and Lewis batting at 26 and 18 respectively.

???? - 45/0 (11)#INDvWI #TeamIndia #OrangeArmy — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 22, 2019

02:17 pm - Skipper Virat Kohli introduced youngster right-arm fast bowler Navdeep Saini into the attack in the seventh over as opening pair of Hope and Lewis were anchoring the innings at the top. Saini impressed everyone by keeping his line and length but failed to get the breakthrough. Windies are 39/0 after 9 overs. 02:05 pm - After getting smashed for two blistering fours, Shami has bowled tight to stop the run flow. The Windies batsmen have played cautiously and the Cuttack pitch looks a high-scoring one. Both West Indies openers are rotating the strike and stealing singles and doubles, without going big against the new white ball. Windies are 22/0 after first six overs. 01:50 pm -Young paceman Shardul Thakur opened the bowling for team India in the series finale at Cuttack. Thakur showcased a disciplined bowling and held his line outside the stumps to give only one run in his first over. Shami bowled the second bowler with two slips in place and a few fuller deliveries with one wicked bouncer to bowl a maiden over and keep a tight grip on both Windies openers. Windies 4/0 after three overs.

A cautious start from Hope and Lewis.

WI - 4/0 (3)#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 22, 2019

01:10 pm - India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to field first against West Indies in the third and final ODI on Sunday. Right-arm pacer Deepak Chahar, who was ruled out of the third rubber due to a lower back injury, was replaced by Navdeep Saini and was handed his debut in the decider.

India have won the toss and elected to bowl against West Indies in the series-decider. #INDvWI #TeamIndia @paytm pic.twitter.com/WmlaKIKXQl

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 22, 2019

PLaying XI: West Indies: Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wicket-keeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (Captain), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell India: Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli (Captain), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini