A disciplined batting effort from the West Indies, combined with late bowling lapses from the hosts, handed India a five-wicket defeat in the third One Day International at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Setting a formidable target after batting first, India reached 351 for seven in their 50 overs. However, the bowling unit failed to defend the substantial total as Shai Hope and Gudakesh Motie launched an aggressive assault in the closing stages of the chase.
The Decisive Turning Point in the 48th Over
Chasing 352 for victory, the West Indies were placed at 293 for five after 44 overs, needing 59 runs from the final 36 deliveries. At that juncture, disciplined bowling could have increased the pressure on the chasing side and created dismissal opportunities. Instead, the momentum swung decisively toward the visitors through calculated boundary-hitting.
After operating mainly with singles through the 44th over, Shai Hope shifted into an attacking gear. Gurnoor Brar conceded 15 runs in his over, handing the visitors immediate acceleration. The pivotal moment arrived in the 48th over when Indian bowler Anshul Kamboj was brought into the attack. Hope and Motie capitalized fully, taking 22 runs off that single over. Together, the pair gathered 37 runs across just 12 deliveries, effectively taking the match out of India's reach.
Bowling Vulnerabilities Throughout the Series
The third match highlighted bowling concerns that were visible across the entire bilateral contest. During the Guwahati ODI, the West Indies posted their highest-ever ODI total of 405 runs. Even though India managed to secure victory in that encounter, the bowling department struggled for control. In the opening match of the series as well, the Caribbean team had pushed close to the 300-run mark.
Series Secured Ahead of the T20 Campaign
Despite dropping the third fixture, India claimed the overall series honors by virtue of winning the opening two encounters. Nevertheless, suffering a high-scoring loss in the finale poses questions ahead of the upcoming five-match T20 series between India and the West Indies, where death-overs execution will remain crucial.
