India opener Ajinkya Rahane said he was hungry to score some runs after missing out on an opportunity to bat in the recently-concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England. Rahane smashed his third ODI hundred as India produced a dominating batting display to pile on 310/5 in their second ODI of the five-match series against the West Indies in Port of Spain on Sunday. Rahane's century laid down the foundation for the visitors' commanding 105-run victory. "Really happy with the way I played today, even in the first game. Didn't get an opportunity in the Champions Trophy, and I was hungry," Rahane said after the match. (Scorecard)
Put in to bat, India dashed West Indies hopes of any early breakthrough on a damp-looking pitch as they negotiated the initial overs without losing any wicket before launching on the erratic home side bowlers to post a big total after the match was reduced to 43-overs-a-side due to rain.
Rahane (103) and his opener partner Dhawan (63) laid a strong foundation with a 114-run stand and despite a bit of a wobble in the middle overs, India went past 300 with captain Virat Kohli stamping his class with a 66-ball 87 later in the innings.
After today's total, India became the side who have hit maximum number of 300-plus scores in an innings, as they reached the mark for the 96th time, overtaking Australia who had made over 300 runs 95 times.
Rahane, who had also hit 62 in the abandoned first match, smashed 10 fours and two sixes in his 104-ball knock before he was out in the 34th over. He also shared 97 runs for the second wicket with Kohli, who hit four boundaries and four sixes in his aggressive innings.
The Mumbai batsman also praised his opening partner Dhawan, who too is in great run of form, scoring 87 and 63 in the first two matches.
"It's lovely to open with Shikhar. He's in great form, we understand each other's game really well. We complement each other. Wicket was slightly damp initially. We wanted to take our time initially, as well as play our shots," said Rahane, who was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match.
