West Indies were at 158/2 in 22 overs when the rains returned to stop play during their third One Day International against India on Wednesday, 14 August. Shimron Hetmyer (18*) and Shai Hope (19*) were at the crease, having stitched a 37-run stand at the Queen's Park Oval.
In what could be his final match, West Indies opener Chris Gayle smashed a 41-ball 72 before falling to Khaleel Ahmed in the 12th over. After getting caught out by India captain Virat Kohli, the 39-year-old 'Universe Boss' left the ground amid a standing ovation from the crowds, shaking the hands of all the Indian players.
Earlier, Gayle smashed a 30-ball half-century, reaching the mark courtesy six boundaries and four sixes.
West Indies opener Chris Gayle raises his bat to the crowd after reaching a half-century on the third One-Day International cricket match India.
Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal first gave India the big breakthrough in the 11th over, dismissing Evin Lewis for 43 on his fourth ball of the day, ending the 115-run opening stand.
The openers had got West Indies off to a flyer after a brief rain stoppage. The duo helped West Indies post 79/0 in 8 overs.
Just 9 deliveries into the game, play was stopped due to rain. However, the players came back out soon after, with sun shining bright overhead.
West Indie openers Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle leave the ground after rain stopped play during their third ODI against India.
Earlier, West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and opted to bat. India made one change to their playing XI, replacing Kuldeep Yadav with his spin colleague Yuzvendra Chahal.
"Not a bad thing at all, the toss is not in your control mostly. It's an opportunity to come out here and execute our skill-sets. We spoke about in the last game, how after a drinks break, we lost our way," said India captain Kohli after he lost the toss for the first time in this series.
Windies made two changes to their line-up, with Keemo Paul and Fabian Allen coming in for Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas.
Speaking at the toss, Holder said: "We are going to bat first. Seems like a good wicket and opportunity to put some runs on the board. We need to focus on things we can control. We've done a lot of talk, it's time for execution. We need to learn and take responsibility. We got to play as a team."
The Men in Blue are currently leading the three-match series 1-0 after the opening game was abandoned due to unsuitable playing conditions. And a win today will hand them a series win.
After the final ODI, the two teams will battle in a two-match Test series, starting 22 August at North Sound, Antigua.
India vs West Indies 3rd ODI Playing XI
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (Captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, K Khaleel Ahmed
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wicket-keeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Jason Holder (Captain), Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Keemo Paul
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