Visakhapatnam, Dec 2: Youngsters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma conjured a match-winning partnership as India beat West Indies by five wickets in the second ODI here today to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Chasing a target of 270 set by the West Indies primarily due to an unbelievable 99-run 10th wicket stand between Ravi Rampaul (86) and Kemar Roach (24), India reached the target with 11 deliveries to spare thanks to Virat who scored his eighth international century and Rohit who is making most of his good form.
Kohli who hit 117 off only 123 balls with help of 14 boundaries added 163 runs for the fourth wicket with another in-form batsman Rohit Sharma (90 not out) to pave the way for victory.
Rohit who got his 10th half century looked in sublime touch as he scored his runs off only 98 deliveries. But he never looked in tearing hurry even as he hit seven fours and two sixes including a straight lofted six off Kemar Roach which was treat in itself.
Virat and Rohit came together at the fall of skipper Virender Sehwag's (26) wicket. The duo didn't take any undue risk on a track which was difficult for batting but at the same time didn't forget to punish the loose deliveries.
Once they had consolidated the situation from 84 for three, they played some crisp shots much to the delight of the sell-out capacity crowd. Virat in particular hit some lovely shots off Andre Russell and Darren Sammy's bowling.
It was Ravindra Jadeja who scored the winning runs as he lofted Andre Russell over mid-wicket boundary.
West Indies especially Ravi Rampaul who achieved the feat of scoring the highest runs for a No 10 batsman should be given credit for making a match of it. This was India's 11th successive ODI win at home.
