All-round India crush West Indies by 107 runs to level the series
India crushed West Indies by 107 runs in the 2nd
One day international to level the series at 1-1 played at ACA- VDCA Stadium,
Vizag on Wednesday.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and decided
to bowl first. KL Rahul began the innings on an aggressive note hitting bad
balls away for boundaries and sixes. Rohit played with caution approach. At the
end of 10 overs, Indian openers scored 55.
After the power play overs, Rahul and Rohit played with
positive intent which put the West Indies bowlers under immense pressure. It
was a good batting display by both Indian openers who looked in aggressive
touch after settling on a brilliant pitch. Rahul reached his fifty off 46 balls
while Rohit completed his fifty off 67 balls. Rohit showed his class after
scoring 50 and put the West Indies bowlers under more pressure. The hitman was
dropped by Hetymer and they had to pay for that drop. Rahul took single and
gave strike to Rohit. It was just an amazing display of batting by both Indian
openers. Rohit reached his 28th century off 107 balls. On the other
hand, Rahul completed his 3rd century in ODI cricket off 102 balls.
West Indies finally got the breakthrough dismissing Rahul for 102 off 104 balls
with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Rahul and Rohit added 227 runs in 37 overs.
Virat Kohli had a rare failure as he was dismissed for 0 by
Kieron Pollard. Rohit Sharma took the charge after the dismissal of Kohli.
Shreyas Iyer came to the crease and gave full support. Rohit reached 8th
150 plus score in ODI cricket off 132 balls. He was finally dismissed for a
brilliant 159 off 138 balls. Rohit and Iyer added 60 runs for the 3rd
wicket. Pant came to the crease and just smashed Sheldon Cottrell for 24 runs
in the 46th over. In the 47th over, Iyer smashed 31 runs
off Roston Chase which helped the Indian team post a massive total. Pant was
dismissed for a quick fire 39 off 16 balls. Pant and Iyer added 73 runs in 4
overs. Iyer reached his fifty too off 28 balls and got out in the 49th
over. Kedar Jadhav scored 16 off 10 balls and helped India post a massive total
of 387 for 5 in 50 overs.
Chasing the massive target of 388 runs to win, Shai Hope was
dropped off the very first ball by KL Rahul. Hope took the advantage of the
chance with some brilliant strokes. Lewis also played some lovely shots. At the
end of 10 overs, West Indies scored 56 for 0.
After the power play overs, Shardul Thakur provided the
breakthrough for India dismissing Lewis for 30 with a good catch by Shreyas
Iyer. Lewis and Hope added 61 runs. Shimron Hetymer was brilliantly run out for
just 4 runs. Ravindra Jadeja got the wicket of Roston Chase to put West Indies
team on the backfoot. Nicolas Pooran came to the crease and looked in positive
touch taking on the Indian bowlers. Hope continued his superb form reaching his
fifty off 59 balls. The explosive Nicolas Pooran completed his half-century off
just 34 balls. As things looked dangerous for India, Mohammed Shami provided
the breakthrough dismissing Pooran for 75 off 47 balls. Pooran and Hope added
106 runs for the 4th wicket. Shami did the damage again by dismissing
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard off the very first ball.
Kuldeep Yadav was simply sensational by becoming the 1st
Indian to pick 2 hattricks in international cricket. He got wickets of Shai
Hope, Jason Holder and Alazzari Joseph. Keemo Paul and Khary Pierre enjoyed
himself adding 50 runs for the 9th wicket. Mohammed Shami ended the
match by dismissing Paul with a brilliant yorker to bowl out India for 280 in
43.3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Shami took 3 wickets each, Ravindra Jadeja 2 and
Shardul Thakur 1.
India 387 for 5 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 159, KL Rahul 102,
Shreyas Iyer 53, Sheldon Cottrell 2/83) beat West Indies 280 in 43.3 overs
(Shai Hope 78, Nicolas Pooran 75, Mohammed Shami 3/39, Kuldeep Yadav 3/52) by
107 runs.
Rohit Sharma has been named the man of the match for his
159. The series is levelled at 1-1. The third and decided match will be played
at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on 22nd December.
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| Rohit Sharma 159 leads India to a massive total |
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