(Cricket news) India defeated West Indies by 3 runs in the first ODI. The match was a last ball thriller which doesn't happen very often in ODIs. West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first as India announced a surprising playing XI. Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson got a place in the side but Ishan Kishan who was waiting on the bench for a long time was once again benched. Shikhar Dhawan confirmed that Ravindra Jadeja would be unavailable for the first 2 matches. Ruturaj Gaikwad who also had been waiting for an opportunity after his incredible Vijay Hazare trophy season was left on the bench.

Dhawan and Gill opened the batting for India and put on a great 119 run partnership. Gill on his return to the one day set-up 64 off 53 balls but was dismissed after he was caught casually strolling around while taking a single. Gill played his natural attacking game hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes. Dhawan on the other hand played an incredible knock of 97 off 99. He hit 10 four and 3 sixes in his innings and was unlucky to miss out on his century due to a brilliant catch by Sharmarh Brooks. Shreyas Iyer also played a good knock of 54 off 57 balls including 5 four and 2 sixes. After losing 3 wickets India's run rate dropped significantly as no other batter got going. India scored 213 runs in the first 33.3 overs but could only manage 95 runs in the last 16.3 overs. For West Indies, Gudakesh Motie and Alzarri Joseph picked up two wickets each while Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hossain got a scalp each. India finished their innings at 308/7 in 50 overs.

Chasing 309 runs the Windies took it right down the wire. Kyle Mayers was the highest run scorer as he scored 68 ball 75. Brandon King also played a good knock of 54 off 66. Sharmarh Brooks, Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hossain also played good cameos but West Indies fell 3 runs short. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with a figures of 2/57. He also defended 15 runs from the last over to get India Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal also picked up 2 scalps each and at important intervals. India have taken the lead in the series but West Indies did put on a good fight. The home side will be hoping that they can manage to get over the line in the next match to level the series.

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