Spinner Kuldeep Yadav was adjudged IND vs WI Man Of The Match in the recently concluded first of a three-match ODI series at the Kensington Oval. Brought into the attack as a sixth bowler in the 19th over, Yadav picked four wickets in the three overs that he bowled to dismiss the opposition for a lacklustre innings total of 114.
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In the general run of things, India would’ve wanted to do better than register a 5-wicket victory. A classic case of experimenting with the batting order didn’t reap the best of results as the visitors lost half their side within the first 18 overs.
Picked ahead of Sanju Samson, wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan was even granted a batting promotion just like his last Test innings. As was the case in Port of Spain Test, Kishan scored a half-century before getting out in the 17th over. Opening the batting with good friend Shubman Gill (7), the left-handed batter scored 52 (46) comprising seven eye-catching fours and a six.
IND vs WI Man Of The Match Today
Playing an international match after more than four months, Yadav bagged a Player of the Match award in an ODI for the fifth time in his career. In what is his second such award in 2023, the left-arm wrist-spinner isn’t letting go of opportunities in a World Cup year.
Sixth time when he has picked four wickets in an ODI, him doing it at the cost of only six runs is a personal best for him. Even though the 28-year old player was the pick of the bowlers across both the teams with figures of 3-2-6-4, one feels that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (one catch, 3/37 & 16*) deserved the award more in Bridgetown today. Unlike Yadav, each one of Jadeja’s three scalps were middle-order batters.
“Me and [Ravindra] Jadeja, we were great. Just following the routine and rhythm and it’s been amazing in the last one year. Focusing on the length is more important than getting wickets. It was spinning a bit and there was bounce as well,” Yadav told the host broadcaster during the post-match presentation ceremony.
