IND vs WI

That brings the ODI series to a close as India clinch yet another series victory. A lot of positives to take from this series for both teams, with the likes of Amir Jangoo and Kuldeep Yadav stamping their authority with bat and ball, respectively. India's batting unit continues to impress although there is a lot of improvement for the bowling attack that has at times looked toothless.

The two sides will now transition quickly into the T20 format, with the first of five matches coming up in a couple of days. The likes of Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, fresh off a Gold Medal win at the Asian Games, are back in action and will look to continue their winning run against the Windies, who also pack a lot of firepower with Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell likely to feature.

But that's all for this game and the ODI leg of the West Indies' tour of India. Until next time, this is Dwijesh Reddy, along with my colleague Sourabh Agrawal, signing off. Goodbye and take care!

Shubman Gill is adjudged the Player of the Series, having scored 334 runs in three matches including a double-hundred in Guwahati.

Shubman Gill (Player of the Series and India captain): “A lot of boxes were ticked in this series, but there are still some areas that need fine-tuning.

I was very happy with the total today and felt the game was under control. But being four overs behind with the dew hurt us, and they took the game away towards the end. Had we not been behind on the over-rate, I think it might have gone down to the final over.

There was some uncertainty over whether Gurnoor Brar would be able to come back and bowl because of cramps. We knew the game could go till the end, and Kuldeep is a wicket-taker, so I wanted to keep a couple of his overs for the back end. 

I’m decently pleased with our progress, but our fielding can be much better. (On improvements) We dropped around six or seven catches across the series, which isn’t a good sign. Leading into the World Cup, you want your fielding to be top-notch. Our death bowling is another area we need to improve. Sometimes we aren’t clear whether we’re attacking or defending, particularly when the opposition is five or six wickets down. We need greater clarity with our fields and plans in those situations.

(On missing out on his home ground) You’re always disappointed when you get out, but today I don’t think there was much more I could have done with that ball.”

Shai Hope is the Player of the Match for his match-winning hundred!

Shai Hope (Player of the Match and WI captain): “In India, chasing is generally easier, especially when the dew comes in. We wanted to finish the series strongly, and I’m happy we got it right today. (On his fitness troubles) I felt something in the groin around 30 overs into our fielding innings, but I just tried to fight through it until the end.

We were a batter down, probably two, so we knew it would be challenging. I had another great chat with MS Dhoni, and he told me that you always have more time than you think. I tried not to focus on the end result, broke the chase down, trusted the process and looked for opportunities to find boundaries towards the back end. I also knew India would eventually have to bring fielders into the ring, so I kept all of that in mind. Thankfully, it worked out for us.

We played some really good cricket in patches throughout the series. Our batters have become more consistent over the last two or three years and have been putting up big scores. Bowling in India is difficult because the conditions are very batting-friendly and the margin for error is extremely small. We’ve learned a lot from this series, and hopefully we can improve our bowling going forward. I’ve got two days to turn things around (for the T20I series), so hopefully I’ll be fit.”

Let's hear from Keemo Paul: (what was the plan in the partnership with Hope?) When I was in the middle with Shai, the plan was just to keep the scoring rate below 8. That was basically the plan and as Shai was struggling I had to take a few chances. (thoughts at the halfway mark?) Coach spoke to us, just tried to break the chase down in phases. We saw how they batted in the last two games, chasing is easier in these conditions. We always had the confidence, awesome to get the job done tonight. (on his captain Shai Hope) Definitely, he is modern day legend. The way he has batted in this series has been incredible. (on his bowling) For me, I do not want to get complacent. Just take it as a stepping stone and contribute to the team as much as I can when I get the opportunity. From the past two games, we had our plans. Tried to hit our lengths as hard we can, tried to hit the top of stumps and that was my plan.

West Indies won by five wickets with ten balls to spare!

KL Rahul - 129*(87) | Naman Dhir - 1/33
Shai Hope - 162*(143) | Jayden Seales - 3/62 

What a way to finish the series! West Indies have hunted down a mammoth 352 with 10 balls to spare, completing the highest successful ODI run chase in their history.

At the heart of it all was captain Shai Hope. Promoted to open following Juel Andrews' injury, Hope produced a magnificent 162 off 143 balls, laced with 17 fours and three sixes. It was his second century of the series and, despite battling exhaustion and cramps towards the end, he paced the chase beautifully.

Amir Jangoo provided excellent support with a fluent 67 off 56, while Keemo Paul chipped in with a valuable 44 off 35. After Jangoo's unfortunate run-out and Paul's dismissal, Hope battled through the pain and put together a crucial fifty-run stand with Gudakesh Motie to take West Indies home.

India's bowlers struggled to build sustained pressure. Even Kuldeep Yadav endured a difficult outing, conceding 62 for his solitary wicket, while Naman Dhir, Gurnoor Brar and Mohammed Siraj also took a wicket apiece without being able to stem the flow of runs. Anshul Kamboj had a debut to forget, having conceded 82 off his nine overs.

India may walk away with the series, but their bowling performances leave plenty to ponder ahead of the 2027 World Cup. For the West Indies, there are plenty of positives, none bigger than Hope's magnificent series and the emergence of Amir Jangoo and Jayden Seales. 

A historic chase, a captain's innings for the ages, and a fittingly dramatic end to the series. Stick around for the presentations!

48.2 Naman Dhir to Shai Hope, HISTORIC WIN FOR WEST INDIES, highest ever successful run chase in ODIs for them! Take a bow, Shai Hope. The next time someone asks you what a captain's knock is, show them this masterpiece from Hope. He has battled his way and got the win for his side, through the pain, through the discomfort, kept his cool, waited for the right moments and in the end West Indies have won it with 10 balls to spare. Short of a length outside off, Hope punches it down to long-off and seals the deal. What an amazing knock, once in a lifetime stuff from the West Indies skipper.

48.1 Naman Dhir to Shai Hope, SIX! The scores are level. A friendly half volley down the leg side for a man batting past a 150, Hope goes down for the sweep shot and clears the fence behind square on the leg side.

West Indies need 7 runs in 12 balls

22 runs off the over, and Shai Hope may have timed this chase to perfection! A couple of timely boundaries once again, as Anshul Kamboj errs with his length. With Mohammed Siraj also having two overs available, it must be asked whether Gill should have backed his more experienced pacer with the task of bowling two out of the last three.

47.6 Anshul Kamboj to Gudakesh Motie, SIX MORE! This over has surely sealed it for West Indies. Short ball attempted, the line was all wrong and Motie swung it away over fine leg cleanly

47.5 Anshul Kamboj to Gudakesh Motie, TOP EDGED AND FOUR! Everything going West Indies' way now. 13 off 13, this is theirs to lose from here on. Short ball at the stumps, Motie clears his front leg and swings, the top edge sails over Rahul. The looks on the Indian faces tell you the story

47.3 Anshul Kamboj to Shai Hope, FOUR MORE! Hope is taking West Indies towards a win here. Low full toss outside off, Hope slices this over covers and beats a sprinting Jadeja in the deep to his right

47.3 Anshul Kamboj to Shai Hope, swung away for four! Hope gets to 150. He is playing a true captain's knock is the West Indies skipper. Oh my word, the hooter goes off which means Kamboj has overstepped. This is a massive moment in the game. Kamboj missed his yorker there after going around the wicket, in the slot, swung away wide of deep mid-wicket

The umpires are having a look at the ball and are calling for a set of used balls to choose from. Another momentary delay in the innings, which has already spanned over four hours now.

47.2 Anshul Kamboj to Gudakesh Motie, over the wicket to the left-hander, offers a friendly full toss at the leg stump, Motie just manages to slice it uppishly towards backward point where there is no one in the ring. No power on the shot whatsoever, missed out there