On 27 July 2023, India and West Indies locked horns with each other in the first game of the three-match ODI series in Bridgetown. Speaking of the match, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, India went with four seamers along with two spinning options as Yuzvendra Chahal missed a palace in the final playing XI.
After the toss, Rohit said: “We are gonna field first, no particular reason. We are gonna try a few different things. We want to head into the World Cup with a clear mindset. For us, the results are also important. At times, we are going to try out different players but we don’t want to compromise on our results. All cricketers around the world who are playing all formats need to adapt well. Hopefully, we can get what we want here. We have got four seamers and two spinners.” Four seamers were Mukesh Kumar, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, and Hardik Pandya. While the spinners were Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
Both Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took seven wickets against West Indies in the first ODI
While batting first, the Windies batters failed to post a big total on the board as they were in a spot of bother after losing the first three wickets for just 45 runs. After that, skipper Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer tried to stable the innings with a 43-run partnership for the fourth wicket. But, India’s bowlers, especially spinners were on a roll as the home got bundled out for just 114 runs in 23 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav showed his class as he picked up four wickets for just six runs in three overs. Along with him, Jadeja also managed three scalps for 37 runs in six overs. Shardul, Hardik, and the debutant, Mukesh managed one wicket each while only, Umran Malik went wicketless. Seeing such a tremendous performance from Kudeep, fans went crazy and heaped praises on the bowler on social media.
Here is how fans have reacted:
Zimbu already Shivering
— ?????? ?? (@Mr_Exotic__) July 27, 2023
Fantastic??
Ghatiya batting hai— VINAY (@wtf_vinay) July 27, 2023
Next match or series he will be dropped mark my words ???
— Dhonified (@MsDhoni88) July 27, 2023
Fantastic bowling against Minnows ?
— Bismil Jatoi (@Bismiljatoi) July 27, 2023
World cup me isne phir se maar khaani
— AA. (@HitWkt) July 27, 2023
Wow
— taha abbas ? (@tahaabb62883980) July 27, 2023
Babar azam(bowler version)
— sword$man (@backwardpoint_) July 27, 2023
Yeh toh shuru hote hi khatam ho gya
— Prasunjha (@Prasunj90898109) July 27, 2023
Kuldeep Yadav isnt a good sign for Babar Azam
— Tanveer Akhtar (@Tanveer13345077) July 27, 2023
