India Beat Windies By 9 Wicks For Sixth Straight Win At Home Series

A dominating India outclassed the Windies by nine wickets in the fifth and final match of the International One-day (ODI) series in Thiruvananthapuram to clinch the five-match ODI series 3-1. By virtue of this win, Kohli became the first Indian winners six consecutive ODI series at home and India registered their sixth straight bilateral win against Windies at home. Winning the toss, Windies captain Jason Holder elected to bat the decision did not pay dividends the Indian bowlers ran through the Windies batsmen with ease. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets to help India bundle out Windies for 104 in just 31.5 overs. Pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Bumrah Jasmine chipped in with two wickets each. The hosts took just 14.5 overs to reach the target pal, an unbeaten 99-run standby between Rohit Sharma (62 off 54) and captain Virat Kohli (33 off 29).

It was a complete surrender from the Windies, who are doing so in the first three ODIs. The previous game at Mumbai, too, was dominated by the hosts before they broke a 3-1 series win.

Last year, when they went down 2-3 against South Africa.

The hosts were in no time demanding the 105-run target after the bowlers of the foundation of a massive victory. Rohit continued his fine form, notching up a half-century, in the process going past the 1,000-run mark for the 2018 year-year and also hitting his 200th six in ODIs.

The India vice-captain had a lucky escape when he was caught behind by Shai Hope off Oshane Thomas' bowling on 18. He made it most of the time. Kohli too was solid at the other end and his innings included six ovens.

Dhawan's soft dismissal would probably be one of the lows for India.

Earlier, the West Indies were in trouble right from the start skipper Jason Holder thing to bat.

Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar had Kieran Powell taken care of by MS Dhoni for a duck off the fourth ball, giving India their first wicket. Shai Hope, who has been one of the best West Indies batsmen Shimron Hetmyer, was castled by Bumrah in the second at 2 for 2.

The experienced Marlon Samuels, from whom a lot was expected, a brief revival, hitting some crisp boundaries and the only six of the innings. Rovman Powell lofted one from Bumrah over the infield.

Samuels' resistance ended in the 12th when he fell to a soft dismissal of Jadeja for 24, spooning to catch skipper Virat Kohli.

As usual, you have had a lot of patience in the series.

(With PTI inputs)