Windies debutant Oshane Thoams struck with his very over to remove Shikhar Dhawan in India’s chase of 323. The express pacer had the India opener chopping on to his stumps in only the second over of India’s chase. However, India skipper Virat Kohli has come charging out of the blocks with the bat and slammed a 35-ball half-century to get the chase back on track.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma have brought up a century stand for the second wicket with India cruising at 121-1 at the end of 19 overs. The India skipper then brought his 36th ODI ton off just 88 deliveries with Rohit also registering his half-century.
Kohli was eventually dismissed for a for 107-ball 140 by Devendra Bishoo. At the other end, Rohit too brought up his ton as India neared victory. The India vice-captain kept up his assault on the Windies bowlers as India notched up the target with 47 balls to spare in the end.
After India romped home to an easy win in the Test series, it’s time for the ODI leg of West Indies’ tour, which began on Sunday with the first match in Guwahati.
Shimron Hetmyer’s third ODI ton helped West Indies set the hosts a challenging target of 323 runs, after the young Guyanese batsman tore India’s bowling attack apart in a 78-ball 106. Coming in at 86/3, which soon became 114/4, Hetmyer counter-attacked on the way to bringing up his century off of just 74 balls, before departing with the score at 248/6.
West Indies were at 150/4 at the halfway mark of their innings, stabilising after a brief wobble in which they lost three quick wickets. They ultimately ended up with 322-8 from their 50 overs.
Debutant opener Chandrapaul Hemraj was the first to fall, scoring just 9 off 15 balls before being bowled by Mohammad Shami, before his opening partner Kieron Powell stitched together a 65-run partnership with wicketkeeper Shai Hope, batting at No 3.
Powell fell to left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed after an enterprising 50, which sparked a mini-collapse as Marlon Samuels was out second ball to Yuzvendra Chahal and then Shami returned to get Hope for 32.
Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and put the visitors in to bat, unsurprisingly, given his side’s daunting record when chasing targets and the dew which will become a factor during the second innings.
The surprise was in India’s team selection, as they picked only one wristspinner, retaining Yuzvendra Chahal but dropping Kuldeep Yadav in favour of orthodox left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Umesh Yadav, fresh from his stunning 10-for in the second Test, Mohammad Shami, and Khaleel Ahmed make up India’s pace attack for the game.
West Indies also picked two spinners, Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo, alongside quick bowlers Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, and debutant Oshane Thomas.
Rishabh Pant, who has excelled since being called up to India’s Test side, was given his ODI debut, though MS Dhoni retains wicketkeeping duties for India.
West Indies also have two debutants in their side, opener Chandrapaul Hemraj and pacer Oshane Thomas.
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