India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy praised the team’s bowlers for sticking to their plans under pressure as India secured a 14-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20I at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Defending a target of 224, India restricted the visitors to 209/7, with disciplined bowling in the death overs proving crucial. The bowlers controlled the scoring rate and executed their yorkers effectively to prevent the West Indies from completing the chase.
Reddy, who scored 21 runs with the bat and returned figures of 1/19, said the team was pleased with the way its bowlers handled the closing stages of the match.
“A win is a win. We are all proud of our efforts over there. We know it’s not easy but the bowlers executed the plans very well,” Reddy said during the post-match interaction with broadcasters.
He explained that India focused on limiting the opposition to singles rather than constantly searching for wickets, while following the captain’s field placements and bowling plans.
“At the time I think per over they needed 14 runs, and we thought if we could keep every run for a single, it would work for us,” he said.
“We weren’t going for wickets. Sometimes a defensive plan can be an attacking plan. Very clear plans from our skipper. We have to stick to our plans and bowl to our fields. Even if we get hit for a six, we have to stick to our plans,” Reddy added.
The all-rounder also highlighted the importance of the lower-order contribution in helping India post a competitive total on a ground known for its short boundaries.
India started strongly but lost wickets at intervals. Prince Yadav provided a late boost with an unbeaten 13 off just six deliveries, including three fours, helping India finish at 223.
“We started well but here and there we got a bit unlucky with a few wickets, but in the end you can see Prince getting those crucial runs mattered a lot,” Reddy said.
India and the West Indies will now face each other in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
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