IND VS WI : Kuldeep Yadav Turns Game
India beat West Indies by 8 wickets in the 1st ODI , but the real story is how West Indies lost a winning position .
The Turning point : Middle overs collapse
The turning point came during the middle overs of the West Indies where sudden spin bowling collapse orchestrated by Kuldeep Yadav derailed their momentum . Despite a brilliant , fighting century by Justin Greaves (101) and solid opening stand with John Campbell (62) , the West Indies were comfortably on track for a 330+ score , However the game completely turned when Kuldeep Yadav was brought back into attack . Kuldeep broke through the middle order by dismissing set batsman Justin Greaves , Skipper Sai Hope (12) and Jewel Andrew (0) in quick succession . This sudden squeeze restricted the West Indies to 295/7 a total that proved well below par . India capitalized on this shift , chasing down the target by 8 wickets with the 50 balls spare , powered by twin centuries from Shubman Gill (110), and Virat Kohli (139*) .
Where West Indies lost the Match
1. The Middle -Over Stagnation
After the strong start from Campbell and Greaves ( 135 - run partnership) the incoming batters struggled against India 's spin web. WI went from 176/2 to 198/5 , they lost 3 wickets for very few runs losing all momentum.
2. Defending a Sub par Total
On a pitch that became a high scoring belter under the lights , 295 runs was not enough to trouble an experienced Indian top order . West Indies were 15-20 runs short.
3. Inability to break the Kohli - Gill Partnership
Once Rohit Sharma departed for 32 the West Indies bowlers failed to put pressure on Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill , who effortlessly dictated the chase with the 150 run partnership
One spell changed the game . If Kuldeep Yadav had not struck in the middle overs West Indies would have scored 320+ and the result could have been very different .