India produced a strong all-round performance to thrash West Indies by 105 runs in the second One-Day International at the Queen's Park Oval Stadium in Port of Spain on Sunday. The match had to be reduced to 43 overs a side after a long spell of rain forced the start to be delayed. Asked to bat first, a century by opener Ajinkya Rahane and half-centuries by skipper Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan helped India post a challenging total of 310/5. In reply, the hosts could only manage 205/6 in their allotted 43 overs. India now lead the five-match series 1-0. The first ODI -- which was also held at this very same venue -- had to be abandoned due to heavy rain. (Scorecard)
HIGHLIGHTS OF INDIA VS WEST INDIES, 2nd ODI
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After a half-century against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opener, Yuvraj's sequence of scores has been 7 (vs Sri Lanka), 23 not out (vs South Africa), 22 (vs Pakistan in CT final) and 4 (1st ODI vs WI). There is no debate on the class and experience of Yuvraj but at 35-plus, he surely is a shadow of his old self. His fielding has gone from bad to worse and skipper Kohli has not felt the need to summon him to bowl his left-arm spinners.
Former India captain and current India U-19 coach Rahul Dravid had recently said that team management should have a clear cut policy whether they want Yuvraj going into the 2019 World Cup. With just two years left and around 45-50 ODIs to be played, Kohli will have to take a call in the next few months about Yuvraj figuring in his scheme of things.
An explosive left-hander like Rishabh Pant, the most exciting batting prospect among the Gen-Next is waiting in the wings, eagerly for his chance. The veteran can't take his place for granted in the side. Not to forget an injured Manish Pandey waiting to get fit and prove his mettle in the 50-over format. With the first match being a wash-out, India are unlikely to change their playing XI for the second ODI, which will be played at the same venue. (Read Full Preview Here)
