Ravindra Jadeja's sensational spin performance crushes West Indies in ODI opener

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav mesmerized cricket enthusiasts as they bowled out a struggling West Indies side for a paltry 114 runs in just 23 overs during the opening One Day International (ODI) in Barbados on Thursday. The dynamic duo, with their impeccable skills, spun a web around the West Indian batsmen, leaving them clueless and overwhelmed. The Indian bowling attack set the tone right from the beginning, as the duo of Hardik Pandya (1/17 in 3 overs) and debutant Mukesh Kumar (1/22 in 5 overs) tightened the screws and provided an excellent start.

The newcomers restricted the scoring opportunities and created pressure, laying the foundation for Jadeja and Kuldeep to strike.Skipper Shai Hope fought a lone battle for the hosts, contributing 43 runs, while only two other batsmen managed to reach double digits. Jadeja, with his incredible figures of 3/37 in 6 overs, showcased his class and overtook the legendary Kapil Dev with 44 wickets against West Indies in ODIs. He now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the West Indies' great Courtney Walsh for the most wickets in India-West Indies ODIs.

Jadeja's brilliance on the field was also evident with his well-timed jump to dismiss Alick Athanaze, followed by Kuldeep's precision to dismantle Kyle Mayers and West Indies skipper. Shardul Thakur's in-cutters added to the misery for the West Indian batters, leaving them perplexed. The pitch in Barbados offered extra bounce, providing Jadeja and Kuldeep with the ideal conditions to exploit the weaknesses of the opposition.