INDORE — Shreyas Iyer has hailed the tactical clarity and unwavering confidence of his bowling attack after India successfully defended a mammoth total to secure a hard-fought 14-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday. The win puts India ahead 2-1 in the five-match series, providing a crucial momentum shift in a contest that has been defined by high-scoring encounters.
Defending a target of 224, India’s bowlers were tasked with containing an explosive West Indies batting lineup on a batting-friendly surface. Despite the visitors’ best efforts to mount a comeback, the Indian unit held their nerve, restricting the Caribbean side to 209/7.
Iyer impressed with bowlers’ approach
The maturity displayed by the bowling unit was the standout takeaway for captain Shreyas Iyer. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer expressed his satisfaction with how his teammates navigated the pressure of defending a high total against an opponent known for their aggressive, free-scoring approach.
“It was wonderful because the bowlers were pretty confident with what they wanted to execute,” Iyer said. “The clarity was much more visible. They were decisive in their execution and when I was passing the ball to them, each and every bowler was up for the challenge and that’s what you want.”
Arshdeep Singh led the charge with a disciplined performance, claiming 3/44. His role was pivotal, particularly when he stifled the West Indies’ middle-order surge by removing Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford in a decisive 18th over. Naman Dhir was equally instrumental, contributing 2/39 and providing crucial breakthroughs that halted potential West Indian rallies.
Iyer praises top-order momentum
India’s aggressive foundation was laid by a blistering start from openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Sharma was particularly brutal, racing to 69 off just 30 deliveries, while Kishan provided an ideal foil with 37 off 18. Their partnership set the tone, allowing India to dictate the pace of the game from the outset.
Iyer was quick to laud the contribution of the top order, noting that their ability to keep the scoreboard moving was vital in setting the stage for the rest of the lineup. He also extended praise to Prince Yadav, whose late-order cameo proved to be the difference in pushing India past the 220-run threshold.
“Honestly, that was a phenomenal start,” Iyer noted. “Abhishek doing what he does in the powerplay and Kishan coming in—he’s been great in the last few months. Even Prince playing the cameo in the end, those were crucial runs.”
The captain remained wary of the threat posed by the visitors, reinforcing the importance of maintaining intensity regardless of the scoreline. “West Indies, you can never take them lightly. So, we had to make sure we never got complacent. These are high-scoring grounds, but it’s important to stick to our process and follow our routines and make sure we stay offensive.”
Hetmyer and Pooran threaten India’s defence
The West Indies’ chase was characterized by high-risk, high-reward cricket. Despite losing Shai Hope early—a dismissal orchestrated by Arshdeep Singh—the visitors refused to retreat. Shimron Hetmyer offered a stern counter-attack, capitalizing on a missed opportunity in the field to hammer 43 runs before being cleaned up by a clever slower ball from Naman Dhir.
The game reached a boiling point when Nicholas Pooran took charge, launching a fierce assault on the bowlers. His 42-run cameo, highlighted by three massive sixes against Dhir, threatened to swing the pendulum in favor of the visitors. However, the Indian bowlers showcased resilience; Dhir got his revenge shortly after, dismissing Pooran when the batter failed to get the necessary elevation on a pick-up shot, effectively breaking the partnership that had kept the Caribbean side in the hunt.
Arshdeep seals India’s victory
As the game entered the death overs, the pressure mounted. Although Quention Sampson fell to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shamar Springer provided a late surge of excitement with an unbeaten 35 off 11 balls. His explosive cameo ensured the game went down to the wire, but the damage done by Arshdeep Singh in the 18th over proved to be an insurmountable hurdle.
By dismissing both Paul and Rutherford in the space of four balls, Arshdeep effectively sucked the air out of the West Indies’ chase. The visitors finished on 209/7, 14 runs short of the target.
This victory marked a significant tactical milestone, as it was the first time in the series that a team batting first had successfully defended their total. While India experienced a slight dip in momentum during the second half of their innings—characterized by a few soft dismissals—the bowling performance ensured that the team’s hard work during the powerplay was not wasted.
With a 2-1 lead in the bank, India will look to carry this tactical discipline and confident mindset into the remaining two fixtures, fully aware that the West Indies remain a dangerous side capable of striking back at any moment. For now, however, the hosts walk away from Indore with their heads held high, having proven they have the mettle to weather a storm and execute under pressure.
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