West Indies vs India 2023

‘Surprise, surprise, top-3 got fifties’- Parthiv Patel heaps praise on India’s batting masterclass against West Indies

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel praised the efforts of top three Indian batters on the back of their three-run victory in the first ODI against West Indies on July 22 in Port of Spain. The top-three batters, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, all scored fifties and gave the Men in Blue the impetus that was much needed at the top.

Patel said that Gill played a brilliant knock after being chosen ahead of Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad to open the innings. He also opined that Dhawan is usually more attacking of the two openers when he partners with Rohit Sharma. But with Gill, he was playing the anchor role.

“Shikhar Dhawan played a captain’s knock. He was very well supported by Shubman Gill; he was chosen ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, and he played a brilliant knock,” Patel told Cricbuzz. “Usually, when Shikhar Dhawan plays with Rohit Sharma, Rohit takes his time and Shikhar goes out attacking. But today, Shubman played an attacking role with Dhawan playing as anchor,” he added.

Parthiv Patel is impressed with Shubman Gill’s Composure

“Shreyas also came back in form, sort of. He didn’t get as many runs as was expected out of him during the IPL and the England tour. But here, he got a fifty. And surprise, surprise, India’s top-3 got fifties. Usually, we talk about India’s top-3 not getting runs, he said.

“Our top-3 has not got runs in England but here, Dhawan got 97, Gill proved himself again and showed how good a talent he is, and Iyer got a fifty as well,” added Parthiv Patel.

Dhawan scored 97 runs off 99 balls and his partner Gill scored 64 off 53 balls. They together added 119 runs for the first-wicket partnership. Iyer walked in at number three and scored 54 runs off 57 balls. The second-wicket partnership between Iyer and Dhawan was of 94 runs.

The Men in Blue put on a big total of 308 in 50 overs. In the chase, West Indies came very close but fell three runs short. Dhawan was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliant performance. The Second ODI is set to take place on July 24, Sunday, at the same venue.