• Source:JND
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India claimed the three-match ODI series 2-1 against West Indies after a thumping 200-run win in the final match at Brian Lara Academy Stadium on Wednesday. The visitors displayed an all-round performance in the clash as four batters smashed the fifties while Shardul Thakur and Mukesh Kumar dominated with the ball to all out Windies for 151.

India continued their experiments as they rested regular captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli again and included Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jaydev Unadkat in place of Axar Patel and Umran Malik.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya continued to lead the side in the second match of the series. The stand-in skipper came out to bat at no. 5 spot and struck 70 not out off 52 balls including five sixes and four fours. He revealed that Kohli advised him to play a big knock before the match.

"Virat and Rohit are integral parts of the team. But it was important to rest them so that people like Ruturaj Gaikwad could get a chance. It was about giving opportunities to youngsters. I took it deep intentionally, wanted to have some time out in the middle. Had a great chat with Virat before the game, he wanted me to spend some time out in the middle and get used to the 50-over format," Pandya in the post-match presentation.

"Really thankful for him to share that experience with me. Once you hit one ball and get into rhythm things are very different. The ball was doing just a bit. Scoring 350 was always crucial. When you have a total like that, batters chase the ball and if the luck is one your side, batters will nick it," he added.

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Apart from Pandya, Ishan Kishan (77) Shubman Gill (85) and Sanju Samson (51) scored half-centuries as India posted 351/5 in 50 overs. In the bowling department, Shardul claimed four scalps while Mukesh picked three wickets.

Panya said he enjoyed leading the side in the pressure match and looks forward to such games in the future.

"It’s a special win. To be honest, I look forward to these kind of games as a captain where there is something on the line. This was more than an international game. We knew what was at stake and there would be a lot of disappointment if we lost. The boys showed great character. They enjoyed it as well, in pressure situations it’s important to enjoy it as well," he said.

India and West Indies will now lock horns in the five-match T20I series, commencing on Thursday, August 3.