The Indian men’s cricket team is discussing whether they should review in the first ODI against West Indies.
captain Rohit Sharma After India’s new spin combination brought in a sense of calm with 60 runs Yuzvendra Chahali and Washington Sundar set the stage for an easy six-wicket win over West Indies in the first ODI, which also happens to be the country’s 1000th.
First, the hosts bundled out West Indies for 176 in 43.5 overs as spinners Chahal (4/49 in 9.5 overs) and Washington (3/30 in 9 overs) then smashed the captain. The hosts chased down the target in just 28 overs after scoring 60 runs in 51 balls.
This is the 10th time in the last 16 matches that West Indies have failed to bat for the full 50 overs despite the presence of senior players like Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard. Jason Holder, Shai HopeNicholas Pooran to name a few.
After a brief fumble in the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav (number 34) and debutant Deepak Hooda (number 26) put on 62 runs without much pressure to take the team home.
Like the captain, India equally missed batsman Rohit in South Africa and on his return, there were no signs of any hamstring injury as he hit 10 fours and a six, hitting stand-in opener Ishan Kishan ( 28) with 84 runs. ,
Virat Kohli (8) also started with two boundaries but was dismissed in the deep while Rishabh Pant was unfortunately run out at the non-striker’s end.
But Rohit was in his element, while young Kishan played the second part to perfection.
The former had been toying with West Indies’ attack, as the hosts looked to set up a comfortable chase with a half-century in the ninth over.
Rohit, who returned to the team after injury, was cruel to the veteran Kemar RoachHitting him for two boundaries and a maximum – his trademark pull shot, as India posted 15 runs in the 10th over and reached 67/0.
By the time Alzarri Joseph (2/45) trapped them leg-before, India were heading for an easy win in a milestone game.
Earlier, Chahal and Sundar wreaked havoc on the slow pitch as West Indies batsmen headed to the pavilion with saves Jason Holder (57; 4×6) and Fabian Allen (29), who shared a 78-run stand for the eighth wicket. The team got help. Crossed 160 runs mark.
West Indies lost opener Shai Hope (8; 2×4) cheaply after being dismissed by Mohammad Siraj (1/26) in the third over as the visiting team lost their first wicket for 13 runs.
Hope had hit Siraj for two consecutive fours, but his inner edge on the next edge, attempting to drive, shattered the middle and leg-stump.
Brandon King (13; 2×4) started with a boundary, and was then joined by one-down Darren Bravo (18 runs from 34 balls; 3×4) as the duo tried to revive the innings, But could only add 31 runs for the second wicket. ,
Bravo hit two fours in the sixth over off pacer Prashant Krishna (2/29) as the visitors crawled to 28/1 after six overs. The duo used a mix of caution and aggression as West Indies were at 39/1 after 10 overs.
But Sundar left the visitors behind in the 12th over by removing King and Bravo as the visitors slipped to 45/3. Sundar first sent it back to King, who smacked it over short mid-wicket, where Suryakumar Yadav took a brilliant catch. And then using his straight and flat ball, he trapped Bravo in front of the wicket.
Then it was Chahal, who took two wickets in two consecutive balls in the 20th over as he dismissed both hard-hitting batsmen – Nicholas Pooran (18; 3×4), whom he trapped from the front. This was Chahal’s 100th ODI wicket.
On the next ball, he cleaned up Kieron Pollard (O) with his googly which knocked the opponent captain off-stump. West Indies were in trouble as they lost half the side for just 71. Chahal was in a rage as he removed Shamar Brooks (12), who took the wicket of Rishabh Pant, as West Indies went on to 78/6.
However, Holder and Allen tried to take the game deeper. While Holder hit four sixes, Allen hit two fours before Sundar took a return catch of his bowling to send Allen back.
The team was eventually bundled out in 43.5 overs, with Chahal removing the last man Alzarri Joseph to take his fourth wicket. The second ODI will be played on February 9 at the same ground.
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