Prasidh Krishna’s fiery spell helps India secure ODI series

In a series-winning rubber, the Indian bowlers roared back to life, defending a modest total after their batters succumbed to a startling pint of extra bounce that the surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium had for grabs. The Indian bowlers paid back in the same coin, as Prasidh Krishna returned magical numbers to leave the West Indies rattled.

Nicholas Pooran won the toss and elected to field first and his bowlers prised out instant results as India was hobbling at 43 for 3. In a shocker, Rishabh Pant came out to open the innings and never really seemed comfortable.

India received their first blow in the form of Rohit Sharma who was undone by the extra bounce and nicked it to the keeper. Pant chose to drag the ball from the off-stump and ended up skying his effort. Virat, however, was undone by seam that caught a sniff of his extended bat and flew into the safe arms of Hope.

It was once again Suryakumar Yadav who took over the reins alongside KL Rahul and stitched a decent partnership that starred a few exquisite strokes, a grassed effort by Hope, and culminated into India’s best stand of the night before a bizarre mix-up in the middle left Rahul short of the crease when the bails were dislodged. He had to depart for 49 when Sundar was promoted ahead of Hooda to provide support to Yadav.

After the departure of Rahul, Yadav stepped foot on the gas and India was cruising again until Fabian Allen claimed the prized scalp of SKY. Deepak Hooda was the next man in and took his time to settle down before unleashing a volley of fiery boundaries that propelled India to 237 at the end of 50 overs.

With a target of 238 on the cards and West Indies’ recent batting prowess against England, it felt for a while that they were in a great position to level the series. However, the Indian fast bowlers had completely different plans.

Despite a decent start by the Caribbean openers, consolidating the belief of leveling the contest, Prasidh Krishna used his height to the fullest as his nasty bouncer took King by surprise and Rishabh Pant grabbed a fine take. In his very next over, Krishna struck another deafening blow as he returned Darren Bravo to the pavilion, using the extra bounce on the pitch.

Shai Hope seemed in fine form until then before Suryakumar Yadav completed an excellent take at the boundary to register Chahal’s opening success of the night. From there, it was another tale of West Indies’ sorry collapse as the Indian bowlers struck in quick succession.

Despite Shamarh Brooks’ valiant battle and Akeal Hossain’s resolute 34, the visitors failed to brew up a significant stand that could keep the swarming hosts at bay. Krishna registered magical figures as he bowled 9 overs, claimed a couple of maidens and a quartet of Caribbean scalps that pulverized the spine of West Indian batting. He received significant support from Siraj and Thakur who took three wickets between them to clinch the series for India.