11.35pm Well, that brings to an end a quite amazing run-fest of an ODI series. It ends with India winning the series 2-1, but West Indies closing it out with a historic win for them. Both teams will be back in action again in the five-match T20I series coming up. So don't miss out on any of the action. As of now, it's Abhimanyu signing off on behalf of Sudarshanan, Chandan and Ranjith. Good night!
Also, don't forget to check out CRICINFO GAMES daily for your dose of cricket puzzles.
11.25pm Time for the presentation ceremony.
The Player of the Series is Shubman Gill: "Lot of boxes ticked. There are still some areas that definitely need some fine tuning. [Did they get enough runs today?] Was very happy with the total. I think the game was in control, but being behind four overs with this dew... they took the game away at the end. [On not bringing in Kuldeep earlier for his last two overs] There was some uncertainty around Gurnoor being back or not and Kuldeep is a wicket-taker so wanted a few overs from him for the end. Decently pleased [with the team's progress] but there are still some areas. Fielding is one of them, we dropped a lot of catches. Fielding needs to be top notch. Our death bowling as well needs fine tuning. Sometimes we are not sure if we are attacking or defending. So these are some areas we need to improve in."
The POTM, Shai Hope: "[On loving chasing] It's always a lot easier in India, especially with the dew. Wanted to finish the series on a strong not and glad we got over the line. Felt something around the groin area but wanted to fight through till the end. Firstly, we were a batter down and probably two, so it was always going to be a challenge. It's something I had a great chat with the great man MS Dhoni, who told me you always have more time than you think. So we tried to break the chase down. I knew India would have to bring fielders in for the over rate penalty. So stayed patient. [On the series] I think we played some really good cricket in patches. The batters did really well. We have been wanting to be consistent and the batters were consistent. From a bowling standpoint, I hope we can get better going forward. [On the T20is] We have two days so hopefully I'll be good to go."
Krishna: "Really happy for WI. Hope to see them qualify and make a mark in the world cup"
Soma: "Hope is an inspiration for an opener, wicketkeeper, captain "
Ashu: "Today is wicket-keeper's day. "
11pm Shai Hope spoke before the series about West Indies needing to be consistent with the bat, and he has led from the front with 271 runs, averaging 135.5, with two centuries this series. And he would have scored few centuries more special than this one, holding the team together in a 350-plus chase, after being pushed up to open when originally slotted at No. 3. He held the key in West Indies' quick start, played out some crucial partnerships, and then hung around without panicking despite the asking rate rising, and then delivered the killer blow. West Indies may have conceded the series, but they have had many positives through the series, and this will will do wonders for their confidence heading into the World Cup qualifiers. Eventually, Rohit Sharma's brilliant knock and KL Rahul's sensational century go in vain, and India will be left with a few questions about their bowling plans in the format, although I feel they mostly used this series to experiment a fair bit on that front.
Keemo Paul: "[Chat with Hope] When I was in the middle with Shai, the plan was just to keep the required rate under 8 an over. Shai was struggling a bit so I knew I had to take some chances. [Discussion knowing they are a batter short] The coach spoke about breaking the game down in phases. We saw how India batted and it's easier chasing in these conditions. So we were always confident. Hope is a modern day legend. The way he batted in this series is incredible. I just want to keep performing. I am happy and just do my best as always. [On his bowling] In the past few games, we had our plans. We were trying to hit our lengths."
Here's a lovely stat from Sampath: Shai Hope - first keeper-captain to make 150 in an ODI
END OF OVER:48 | 22 Runs | WI: 345/5 (7 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.18, RRR: 3.50)
- Gudakesh Motie19 (14b)
- Shai Hope155 (141b)
- Anshul Kamboj9-0-82-0
- Gurnoor Brar9.1-0-64-1
Connect Sadagopan and Ramesh, or Roy and Malhotra; give today's MATCHUP a go!
To complicate matters, looks like we'll need a change of balls, with the current one out of shape
JJ: "hope vs other teams: Shai Hope..... Hope vs India: Travis Hope"
Motie needs to either hit out, or find a single here. Kamboj goes over the wicket
Kamboj given the ball now. Looks like Siraj won't bowl out. Interesting. Around the wicket
END OF OVER:47 | 15 Runs | WI: 323/5 (29 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.87, RRR: 9.66)
- Gudakesh Motie8 (11b)
- Shai Hope145 (137b)
- Gurnoor Brar9.1-0-64-1
- Kuldeep Yadav10-0-62-1
Sanket_Gandhare: "The over-rate across the match has been terrible ! Almost 9 hr match !" -- Yes, tell me and Suds about it!
Brar's final over
So, India being penalised for a slow over rate, like West Indies were, just an over earlier. So for the final four overs, they can only field four players outside the circle
END OF OVER:46 | 12 Runs | WI: 308/5 (44 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 6.69, RRR: 11.00)
- Gudakesh Motie2 (8b)
- Shai Hope136 (134b)
- Kuldeep Yadav10-0-62-1
- Gurnoor Brar8.1-0-49-1
END OF OVER:45 | 3 Runs | WI: 296/5 (56 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 6.57, RRR: 11.20)
- Shai Hope125 (130b)
- Gudakesh Motie2 (6b)
- Gurnoor Brar8.1-0-49-1
- Kuldeep Yadav9-0-50-1
