India vs West Indies, 2023, 3rd ODI: Who said what after India's win in the 3rd ODI

Shubman Gill won Player of the match award, while Ishan Kishan was awarded Man of the series.

Taking revenge for the loss in the 2nd ODI, Team India thrashed West Indies in the third and final ODI of the 3-match ODI series to continue their winning streak in Caribbean Islands. India are unbeaten in West Indies since 2006 and the team under Hardik Pandya and Rahul Dravid kept their record intact.

India have decimated the Windies by 200 runs in the final ODI of the series. Putting on a solid batting performance after losing the toss, India scored 351 runs in 50 overs. Chasing a big total, Windies crumbled again and were bundled out on 151 runs Shardul Thakur picked up 4 and Mukesh Kumar picked up 3 wickets in the innings. 

Indian captain Hardik Pandya loved the scoreline pressure

Indian captain Hardik Pandya was extremely happy after the team’s win. Pandya also contributed nicely with the bat and smashed 70 runs in 52 balls with 5 sixes in his inning.

Pandya said, “As a captain, I look forward to such games where things are on the line and not just entertainment in an international game. We knew that if we failed there was some disappointment. The way the boys came out and showed their character and at the same point they enjoyed it, that’s something I want this team to have. In pressure situations, they have to absorb it and also enjoy it. Without pressure, you can’t be heroes”. 

Ishan and Shubman awarded for their hard work

Both Indian openers were awarded for their performance in the game as well as in the series. Shubman Gill scored 85 runs in India’s 351 and played a magnificent knock putting up big partnerships with Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. Gill was awarded Player of the Match, Gill said, “I was hoping to get a big score for the team, a hundred but that didn’t happen but the result was on our side… As an opener, it’s your job to give a good start to the team and fortunately, I was able to do that”.

Gill added 143 for the first wicket with Ishan Kishan and 69 runs for the third wicket with Sanju Samson. 

Ishan Kishan was awarded the Player of the Series after scoring another fifty in the series. Kishan in all three ODIs of the series, smashed half-centuries. In the third ODI, he smashed 77 runs in 64 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes, he scored 184 runs in 3 innings of the 3-match ODI series and ended as the leading run-scorer.

Kishan said, “I was supposed to score big. That’s what I was told by my senior players that I have to get big runs. That’s what makes normal players big players, next time I will try to get big runs. I have played a few tournaments here and know how wickets play in and I am not focusing on the next World T20 here. We have important tours coming up and so we need to stay in the present”. 

Shai Hope disappointed with the performance

West Indies skipper Shai Hope was disappointed after the team’s dismal batting performance against the Indian pace attack. West Indies were 6 down in 50 runs in 14 overs. 6 out of the top 7 were dismissed on single digits.

Talking about the loss Shai Hope said, “Hindsight is the best sight. We saw how the wicket was in the back end but I think we restricted them well enough. We can look back and change many things but it is what it is. I don’t think we put enough balls in that 6-8 meter especially with the new ball”. Indian openers were comfortable enough to build a strong opening stand and go for the big total. 

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