INDORE — In a stadium crackling with anticipation, Sunday’s third T20I between India and the West Indies became the stage for a statistical anomaly that had remained untouched for a decade and a half. Prince Yadav, entering the fray as a late-order tailender, etched his name into the annals of Indian cricket history, joining an ultra-exclusive club of players who have defied their position in the batting order to deliver a flurry of boundaries.
With the scoreboard reading 202/8 in the 19th over, the Indian innings appeared to be sliding toward a quiet conclusion. Yadav, however, had other plans. By smashing three fours off the bowling of Shamar Joseph, he became only the third Indian batter in history to strike at least three boundaries while batting at No. 10 or No. 11 in a T20 International.
## Prince joins Sreesanth and Ashwin in elite company
The significance of the feat lies in its rarity. Before Sunday, the last Indian to achieve such a milestone was Ravichandran Ashwin, who struck three boundaries against England in Kolkata back in 2011. The only other player to surpass that tally is S Sreesanth, who famously clubbed four boundaries against New Zealand in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup in Johannesburg.
For 15 years, the stat remained dormant. Yadav’s aggressive cameo in Indore, coming 19 years after Sreesanth’s heroics and 15 years after Ashwin’s stand, provides a rare glimmer of bottom-order resistance that has been largely absent in recent Indian T20 campaigns.
## A masterclass in late-inning aggression
Yadav’s arrival at the crease in the 19th over turned the tide of the final six balls. Facing Shamar Joseph, the tailender displayed a surprising level of composure and flair. His first boundary came via a clean strike through deep mid-wicket off a low full toss, setting the tone for a frantic finish.
Two balls later, Yadav showcased his range by reading a delivery early and successfully scooping the ball over the head of wicketkeeper Shai Hope. The hat-trick of fours was completed when he caught a thick top edge off a short-of-length delivery, guiding it safely over short third man. These crucial runs, complemented by a frantic bye run that sparked a brief protest from the Windies camp, pushed India’s final tally to 223—a total that would prove just enough to secure the victory.
## India’s path to a 2-1 series lead
While Yadav’s late-game heroics captured the spotlight, the bedrock of India’s victory was laid much earlier. Abhishek Sharma once again proved why he is a vital cog in the T20 machine, blistering his way to a 30-ball 69. His explosive start, bolstered by Ishan Kishan’s quick-fire 37 off just 18 deliveries, provided India with the platform needed to reach the daunting 223-run mark.
However, the middle and late-order slump meant that Yadav’s intervention was not just a statistical curiosity—it was a necessity.
Defending 223, India’s bowling attack faced a stern test as the West Indies mounted a spirited response. The visitors remained in the hunt thanks to a late surge from Shamar Springer, who hammered an unbeaten 35 off just 11 deliveries. Ultimately, however, the target proved too steep. Arshdeep Singh spearheaded the defense, claiming figures of 3/44, while Naman Dhir provided valuable support with two crucial wickets. The West Indies were stifled at 209/7, handing India a 14-run win and a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
## Looking ahead to Hyderabad
The win in Indore serves as a momentum-builder for the Men in Blue, who now look to wrap up the series in the upcoming encounter. The fourth T20I, scheduled for Wednesday in Hyderabad, will be the focus of the cricketing world.
For the West Indies, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow given their resilience in the final overs, but for the Indian camp, the night will be remembered for the grit shown by their tailenders. Whether Prince Yadav’s boundary-hitting prowess will be required again remains to be seen, but he has certainly proven that even at the bottom of the order, India possesses the depth to turn a good total into an untouchable one. As the series moves to Hyderabad, the hosts have the wind in their sails and a rare piece of history to celebrate.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
