IND vs WI: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma help keep series alive, Kuldeep Yadav scripts history

After facing consecutive defeats in the five-match T20I series, Team India bounced back emphatically, securing a pivotal 7-wicket victory in the must-win 3rd game. Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional performance with the ball marked a historic moment for India during the India vs West Indies 3rd T20I.

Despite Kuldeep's efforts to restrict West Indies' scoring, Captain Rovman Powell, who had won the toss and opted to bat, led his team's innings to a strong conclusion. The hosts amassed a total of 159 runs for the loss of 5 wickets within the stipulated 20 overs.

During the chase, India faced early setbacks with the swift dismissals of debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal for 1 and Shubman Gill for 6. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma orchestrated a determined recovery, steering the team towards victory.

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Suryakumar Yadav's pivotal contribution proved instrumental as he amassed 83 runs, while Tilak Varma, narrowly missing his half-century by a solitary run, remained unbeaten at 49 until the match's conclusion. The promising partnership found reinforcement in the form of Captain Hardik Pandya, who swiftly scored 20 runs off 15 balls, propelling India to the much-needed triumph.

Kuldeep Yadav's standout performance extended beyond his contribution to the match, as he achieved a significant milestone in his T20I career. He secured his 50th T20I wicket in his 30th match which saw him surpass fellow spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and pacer Jasprit Bumrah in this tally. Chahal claimed his 50th wicket in his 34th match, while Bumrah achieved the feat after 41 games. 

Earlier, India had made two changes to their side, bringing in left-handed opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his debut replacing wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, while Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav came in for Ravi Bishnoi. 

Batting first, Kyle Mayers and Brandon King effectively crafted a 50-run opening partnership. The duo set the stage, but their partnership was broken by Axar Patel. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Johnson Charles and later Nicholas Pooran who was seeking to drive the attack forward.

As the innings progressed, Captain Rovman Powell took the reins and concluded West Indies' batting effort on a strong note. The team managed to accumulate a total of 159 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.