WI vs IND: 3rd ODI Review – Kohli’s 43rd ton seals series for India
Virat Kohli was at the forefront again as India sealed a 2-0 series victory against West Indies. The series victory means that India’s dominance in the Caribbean continues. After a whitewash in the T20I series, India have been highly convincing in the ODI series as well with many positives emerging. The focus will now shift to the two-match Test series.
Set a tough target of 255 to chase in 35 overs after numerous rain interruptions, it was skipper Kohli who again led from the front. The chase master guided the team home after India hit a bit of a rough patch in the middle overs. He was given great support by Shreyas Iyer as the pair ensured that India edged towards the target. It was then just a mere formality that India would romp home to a victory.
Check out the full scorecard here
Gayle storm for one final time?
Chris Gayle rolled back the years in what could well turn out to be his final innings in international cricket. He was in devastating form as the West Indies openers brutally punished the Indian bowlers. Along with Evin Lewis, Gayle ensured that West Indies got off to a brilliant start. The two put up a partnership of 115, hitting the ball all over the park. When Gayle was finally dismissed for 72 off 41 deliveries, the whole Indian team walked up to congratulate the big Jamaican, raising speculations that we had seen the last of him in international cricket.
India wrestle back the momentum
With many rain interruptions, the West Indians simply could not build upon the platform set up by the openers. The Indian bowlers also settled into a good rhythm. They managed to slow the scoring rate down, which resulted in regular breakthroughs. In the end, the West Indies could only manage to put up a score of 240-7 on the board in their allocated 35 overs. With the target of 255 to chase, India always fancied themselves to get over the line.
Another Kohli masterclass
With a chase on the cards, who better than Virat Kohli to guide a team over the finish line? The Indian skipper notched up his 43rd ton in ODI cricket, further cementing his legacy as perhaps the greatest 50-overs player of all-time. India were in a bit of trouble, losing Rohit Sharma early. Kohli then walked in and stitched a crucial 66 run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan. The opener was then dismissed by Fabian Allen on 36, with Rishabh Pant soon following him back to the pavilion without opening his account.
Shreyas Iyer then joined the skipper on the crease. He again made a good case to be India’s next N0.4. Scoring briskly, Iyer took the pressure off Kohli as the duo edged India closer to a victory. By the time that Iyer was dismissed on 65, India were firmly in a commanding position. Jadhav ensured that India scored at a decent pace as Kohli notched up another landmark. India chased the target down in only 32.3 overs, sealing another memorable series win.
