Holder was named Man of the Match for his career-best figures of 5-27
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
West Indies captain Jason Holder took a career-best 5-27 to lead his side to a surprising 11-run win over India in the fourth ODI in Antigua on Sunday.
Choosing to bat first, the West Indies got off to a solid start as openers Evin Lewis and Kyle Hope amassed a 57-run partnership before Hope was dismissed by Hardik Pandya for 35.
Lewis also scored 35 before he was sent packing by Kuldeep Yadav.
Just as the West Indies were beginning to steady their innings, Roston Chase and Shai Hope were dismissed in quick succession for 24 and 25 respectively.
Once the duo were back in the pavilion, the West Indies completely collapsed as they went from 136/4 to being bowled out for 189.
Pandya and Umesh Yadav picked up three wickets apiece, while Kuldeep chipped in with two.
Chasing 190 to win, India lost Shikhar Dhawan, captain Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik for five, three and two runs respectively.
Ajinkya Rahane and Mahendra Singh Dhoni stabilised the innings with a 54-run partnership, during which Rahane brought up his fifty, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Devendra Bishoo for 60, which came off 91 balls and included seven boundaries.
Rahane scored his 19th ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Once Kedar Jadhav fell for 10, Holder began to take over, starting with the dismissals of Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.
Dhoni, meanwhile, ended up making 54 off 114 balls, which included a solitary boundary, before he was removed by Kesrick Williams.
Dhoni struck his 64th half-century in ODI cricket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Holder provided the finishing touches for the West Indies as he took out Umesh and Mohammed Shami to skittle India out for 178.
Holder was the most successful bowler with five wickets, while Alzarri Joseph took two and Williams, Bishoo and Ashley Nurse claimed one wicket each.
Kohli was gutted to have lost the match, and said: “We bowled really well to restrict them to 189. Our shot selection wasn’t up to the mark. Losing crucial wickets at crucial stages. You’ve got to keep up the momentum through the game. Credit to the West Indies bowlers. They created those dot balls that induced those mistakes.
“It felt a bit two-paced. Apart from that I don’t think there was anything else in the pitch. The bowlers were on the mark, and the fielders as well. With the bat we faltered and that can happen in this game. We just have to put this behind us and come back fresh for the next game.”
Holder, who was named Man of the Match, was delighted to have reduced the series deficit to 2-1, and said: “Extremely pleased with the guys. It took a big effort. Credit must go to all the bowlers. I thought the fielding was very supportive. We knew we could beat India. Just needed some application. Throughout the series we’ve spoken about taking new-ball wickets. India’s top order has been doing well. It’s all about getting Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat as soon as possible.
“I want to make a special mention of Kesrick Williams – showed a lot of maturity in his second game, showed a lot of heart as well. Batting is an area of concern. We were thinking 250 was the par score on this ground. I always believe in myself. I thought I was doing fairly well in the series so far. Only criticism was at the back end. Roddy Estwick told me not to try too many things and just stick to my plans, and that’s what I did.”