WI vs IND: 2nd ODI Review – Kohli masterclass helps India secure 1-0 lead
Virat Kohli’s sterling ton supported by the clinical bowling effort helped India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. In the rain-marred encounter, West Indies fell short by 59 runs (DLS system) at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad. The Indian captain was named the player of the match for his innings of 120 runs and three catches in the infield.
Check out the full scorecard here
Kohli shines while top-order falters
India were left to ponder their decision to bat first as the batting side lost Shikhar Dhawan on the third ball of the innings. West Indies had to review the umpire’s verdict and they did it successfully as the left-hander was plumb in front. Rohit Sharma also struggled to time the ball and fell for an itchy 18 from 34 balls. Pant, given an opportunity to own the number four spot, gifted his wicket via an ugly hoick after scoring 20 (35).
Amidst all this, Kohli batted as if he was batting on a different pitch. With his typical mixture of gorgeous boundary strokes and fleet-footed singles, the number three raced to his 55th fifty in just 57 balls. Kohli mellowed down after Pant’s fall but reignited himself once he neared his ton. His six over long-off against Holder was a special stroke and Kohli soon brought up his 42nd ton with a flick to long-on. He accelerated towards the end before his knock ended on 120 from 125 balls.
Iyer makes the most of his chances
Not selected for the T20I matches, Shreyas Iyer had a point to prove in the ODI series. Batting at number five, the 24-year old showcased what India had been missing. Along with Kohli, he kept the scoreboard ticking. Coming out to bat in the 23rd over, Iyer remained at the crease for next 22 overs. He returned after registering a brisk 71 from 68 balls. India’s lower middle order failed to finish the innings gloriously. Carlos Brathwaite picked up three wickets as West Indies stopped the visitors for 279/7 in 50 overs.
Lewis and Pooran lead the fightback
Chris Gayle, playing in his 300th ODI, did not have a memorable outing. He walked back after a sedate 11 from 24 balls. Hope and Hetmyer went back without adding much to the scoreboard. The rain interrupted play in the 13th over, making it a 46-over game. Windies now had to chase down 270 in the allotted overs.
Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran then began the fightback by piling up pressure on the Indian bowling unit. However, after Lewis’ fall on 65 from 80 balls, the bowlers pulled the game back. Bhuvneshwar led the effort as West Indies collapsed from 179/4 to 182/8. The hosts ended at 210 all out leaving them 59 runs short.
Both the teams will meet once again for the third ODI at the same venue on Saturday, 14th August.
