India completed a 3-0 sweep in their ODI series against West Indies on Wednesday, earning a 119-run victory through the DLS method after persistent rain interrupted play.
Batting first, India got off to a terrific start, scoring 113 runs in the first 22 overs before Hayden Walsh finally found West Indies' first wicket, dismissing Shikhar Dhawan for 58 from 74 deliveries.
An over later, the heavens opened, forcing a two-hour rain delay and a shortened game as a result. With nine wickets in-hand and far fewer overs to survive, India came out of the break swinging, scoring a combined 31 runs in the first two overs when play resumed.
Shubman Gill (98 not out from 98 deliveries) and Shreyas Iyer (44 from 34 deliveries) led the way as India posted a score of 225-3, which the home side never threatened.
A pair of ducks from opener Kyle Mayers and number three Shamarh Brooks crippled the run chase before it could begin, finishing all out for 137 with Yuzvendra Chahal's 4-17 from just four overs leading the way.
Nicholas Pooran (42 from 32 deliveries), Brandon King (42 from 37) and Shai Hope (22 from 33) were the only West Indies batsmen to score more than 10 runs.
Gill's great showing
Indian opener Gill was clearly the star of the show with the bat, finishing two runs shy of his century due to the rain cutting his innings short.
After the match, he called his score "bittersweet", and admitted "I was expecting to get 100".
With scores of 64, 43 and now 98 not out, Gill posted a series average of 102.5.
Scintillating Siraj
The West Indies fans were expecting to be treated with some big-swinging, hard-hitting action once the home side finally took the crease, but their hopes of a win were dashed almost instantly as Mohammed Siraj removed two of their top three batsmen for a combined zero runs.
Neither player had scored less than 35 runs in the first two ODIs of the series.
England 'realistic' about chances in Pakistan, says McCullum
Brendon McCullum says England are going into their three-match Test series against Pakistan with "realistic" expectations, and anticipates a tough test from their hosts.
England became the first side to achieve a 3-0 clean sweep in Pakistan during their last tour in 2022.
And Pakistan have had no success on home soil in the last two years, with a 1-0 defeat by Australia in early 2022 setting off a 10-match winless run, with Bangladesh the latest to triumph against them.
England are without captain Ben Stokes though, as he was ruled out of the first Test after failing to recover from a hamstring tear in time.
Despite recent history suggesting England may just have an edge, McCullum is taking nothing for granted.
"We go in with high hopes," McCullum told BBC Sport. "There will be no excuses whatsoever if we don't get where we need to get.
"We're also realistic this is going to be a tough series, because Pakistan in their own conditions, as history would suggest, it's a tough ask."
McCullum also brushed off concerns he was worried about not having James Anderson, who has been acting as their fast-bowling consultant since his retirement, with them for the first day.
"Jimmy has been a great resource for us, but prior to that, we didn't have a pace-bowling coach as such," he added.
"In the world we live in, communication is easy. Jimmy is in constant communication with the guys. I don't think it's a big issue."
For Pakistan, Shan Masood has lost all five Tests since being appointed captain last November, including the 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh in August.
"There is a lot of hurt within the players," Masood said. "This year, 2024, has not been a good year for Pakistan cricket all over, and we like to see our fans happy.
"The answer is to be positive. We let the past go. We have tried to maintain consistency in selection. We haven't had any chopping and changing because we have lost a few games.
"We believe in this set of players and with Jason Gillespie we wanted to create a squad mentality. The players are being backed to turn things around."
The first Test between England and Pakistan begins on Monday in Multan.
Stokes to have scan on hamstring injury before Pakistan tour
Ben Stokes will have a scan on his hamstring injury next week with the England captain in a race to be fit for their first Test in Pakistan.
Stokes sustained the injury at the start of August and was subsequently absent from the series win over Sri Lanka.
The 33-year-old revealed earlier this month he was being cautious with his recovery rather than risking further damage with a premature return.
As well as netting throughout his recovery, Stokes has also featured in this week's Celebrity Pro-Am at the PGA Championship in Wentworth.
Despite the issue, he has been named as captain of England's 17-man squad, which is due to depart on October 1 before beginning the three-match series six days later.
England paceman Wood sidelined until 2025 with elbow injury
England bowler Mark Wood will miss the remainder of 2024 after sustaining an injury to his right elbow.
Wood played a full part in the first Test versus Sri Lanka at Old Trafford last month, despite suffering from stiffness and discomfort while bowling during July's series against West Indies.
Wood managed two wickets in that match as England sealed a five-wicket victory, but he was then replaced by Olly Stone for the second Test at Lord's, which ended in another comprehensive home win.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has now confirmed Wood's injury will rule him out of red-ball tours of Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December.
The ECB said it will closely monitor Wood's rehabilitation ahead of a potential return to action in early 2025, with England embarking on a white-ball tour of India – their first with Brendon McCullum in charge of their limited-over sides – in January.
They then head to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
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