Kohli and Pant condemn Windies to series whitewash

By Brandon Corlette

It was one of the greatest spectacles at the Providence National Stadium when Virat Kohli and his Indian team graced their presence. India did not disappoint the Guyanese supporters as they register a clinical seven wicket win against West Indies in the third and final T20 International, to claim the series 3-0; this is now West Indies’ sixth consecutive loss in T20Is.

Rishabh Pant and Kohli displayed their elegance and class scoring a 106-run partnership to complete the chase of 147 with great ease. India replied to West Indies’ 146-6 in 20 overs with 150-3 in 19.1 overs. Kohli scored a classy 59, which was his 21st half-century at T20 International, the most by any batsman (joint with Rohit) while Pant sealed the match with a six, ending his unbeaten innings on 65.
Earlier, it was after one hour 14 minutes rain delay from scheduled time, which saw India and West Indies historic clash at the Providence Guyana got underway. The visitors won the toss and elected to field first as brilliant sunshine came upon Providence, after the early morning showers.
On a heavy outfield West Indies openers in Evin Lewis and Sunil Narine continued their poor series; Narine found the fielder and was out caught for two while Lewis, trapped at the crease, scored a promising 10 before Deepak Chahar accounted for both openers.
Chahar continued to move the ball off the seam and further accounted for local star, Shimron Hetmyer who was also trapped in front for one. At the end of the power play, West Indies were 22-3; Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard added 66 runs together to revive West Indies after the early collapse.
Pooran struggled in his innings of 17 from 23 balls but Pollard dominated smashing straight sixes to excite the Guyanese and India’s supporters. After Pollard fell for a brilliant 58 from 45 balls, including six sixes and one four, Rovman Powell took up the mantle.
Powell, fresh from a half-century in Florida, scored an unbeaten 32 to ensure West Indies finished on a par total of 146-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Deepak Chahar, playing his first match of the series registered the best T20 figures for an Indian against West Indies, when he claimed 3-4 in three marvellous overs.
In India’s chase, they lost Shikar Dhawan early for three, when he pedalled one to the short leg fielder off the fiery Oshane Thomas. KL Rahul playing at his technically correct best, played some delightful shots but he fell for 20 with Pooran sharp gloves work off Fabian Allen. At 27-2, it was all India, Kohli and Pant had come to the party to bat West Indies out of the game.
Kohli displayed his ray of cover drives and square drives while Pant, at his aggressive best use innovation at its best, taking the Caribbean bowlers to the cleaners.
The dynamic did exactly that but Kohli got the job done but guided one to backward point and was out for 59 from 45 balls which was decorated with six boundaries. Pant remained to the end and scored an unbeaten 65 from 42 balls, including four sixes and four boundaries.
Thomas was the small spark in the bowling department with 2-29 in his quota of four overs. Deepak Chahar was awarded player of the match while Krunal Pandya was the player of the T20 series. After the match, the Indian Captain Kohli, addressed the excited local media, where he expressed positive sentiments on his team’s performance and how good the conditions were in Guyana.
“This was a good team day and the pitch was a good one to bat on” Kohli disclosed. He further added that at the international level, you need to tackle pressure differently and play yourself into the whole set-up. He has come a long way since he started. If he plays like this more regularly, we will see his potential shine for India.
Kohli was equally effusive in his praise for Deepak Chahar and his ability to swing the new ball, a hallmark of his game that MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming have harnessed well at Chennai Super Kings over the last two years.
West Indies and India will now shift their focus on the One Day International at the same venue on Thursday August 8. Kohli stated that it is important for the players to get rest in these challenging conditions, since the 50 overs will be a longer game.