India’s top order seared half-centuries in the first ODI against the West Indies on Friday, helping the visitors reach a total of 308/7. At one point, India appeared to be on track to score more runs until the hosts produced a valiant comeback in the final 15 overs.

Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill took off brilliantly in the beginning. Dhawan, who leads India in the series, struck in the first over with a square drive, while Gill also hit a boundary off his first delivery. The runs came in bulk and fast as India stormed to 29 in three overs.

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Dhawan then asserted himself with a six-over fine leg, followed by back-to-back boundaries off Romario Shepherd. Gill then faced Kyle Mayers in the final over of the powerplay to add two more boundaries as India closed the first ten overs with 73/0.

Gill made the most of his opportunity at the top of the order, stepping down the line to take on Gudakesh Motie and smash him over long-on for a six. Soon after, he had his fifty off only 36 balls. The two contributed more than 100 as Dhawan quickly reached his milestone.

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However, against the odds, West Indies were given a huge respite when Gill’s innings was cut short due to a runout. The batsman could easily have made it to the other end, but some sloppy running lost him his wicket.

The wicket didn’t dissuade Dhawan, who kept going strong at one end, but Shreyas Iyer was pounded with short deliveries and was kept quiet for a time, making only three runs off his opening 15 balls.

Iyer was able to restore himself once the spinners began bowling in succession. He took on Nicholas Pooran for a boundary and a six to increase his strike rate and finally reach fifty as the partnership utterly dominated India.

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Dhawan, who had just slog-swept for a six to get to 97, was out the next delivery as Shamarh Brooks took a brilliant catch. Despite the wicket, India put themselves up for the last hurrah after 35 overs at 225/2. While they could have easily surpassed 350 at that point, West Indies mounted an incredible comeback.

Another stunning catch from Pooran dismissed Iyer for 54, and a few overs later, Suryakumar Yadav sliced one back onto his stumps. Sanju Samson, given a chance in the middle order, failed to impress, being caught lbw by Romario Shepherd after a few tight overs.

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Alzarri Joseph of West Indies held Deepak Hooda quiet at the death, with the release shots emerging just before the penultimate over. Joseph then hit the wickets twice more before India hustled to reach 300 runs.