Kochi: The format was different but the result was the same. India out played clueless West Indies by six wickets with almost 15 overs remaining in first of three ODI match here Thursday. India achieved the target of 212 in 35.2 overs.
After losing Shikhar Dhawan, the in form batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made batting look so easy on a wicket which had some invariable bounce. When West indies was batting.
They both put on 133 runs for second wicket after Dhawan caught by Charles off Holder when on five.
Rohit was in full flow, smashing all the bowlers all over the place and it looked he was up for another ton when Ravi Rampaul had him caught. He made 74 off 81 balls with eight boundaries and a six.
After Rohit dismissal Virat took charge and with Yuvraj added another 42 runs before over anxiousness to reach his century cost him his wicket. Virat, after hitting a six off Holder, tried another big shot but was caught at long off by Sunil Narine. He took 84 balls for his 86 which included nine hits to the fence and two sixes
Raina could not open his account and Yuvraj and Dhoni made sure they reach home without further loss. Yuvraj Singh made unbeaten 16 and Dhoni 13.
For West Indies Holder took two wickets while Ravi and Narine shared a wicket each.
Kohli declared man of the match.
Earlier batting after winning the toss, the visitors got off to a disastrous start when opener Chris Gayle, who flopped in test series also, was run out on a second ball of the first over of Indian inning. H tried to steal a single off Kumar but a direct hit by Kumar saw him short of crease. Gayle fell and was in so much pain that he had to be carried on a stretcher.
Charles and Samuels took the score to 65 when skipper Dhoni turned to his ever reliable bowler Jadeja after Unadkat and Kumar went for some runs and he obliged his captain by taking a brilliant catch, diving to his left on his bowling to get rid off Charles who until now was dealing in boundaries. Charles made 42 off 34 ball with seven hits to the fence and a six.
Samuels was looking to open up as he hit Raina for a six but very next ball he was bowled on a delivery that kept very low. He scored 24 off 35 balls with two fours and a six. West Indies were 77 at this point.
With three wickets down and just 77 on score board, West Indies were in dire need for a partnership to put up a fighting total. Sensing the need of the hour, Darren Bravo and Simmons slowly started building the inning and put on 65 runs but Raina came in again to trap Simmons LBW. Simmons scored 29 0ff 40 balls.
Surprisingly next batsman was Deonarine who came ahead of skipper Dwayne Bravo but this strategy did not work as Raina took his tally to three with his wicket. He contributed just 4 runs.
Now it was up to the skipper Dwayne Bravo to stick around and let Darren Bravo take on the Indian bowlers. DM Bravo, who resembles Lara and even plays like him, was done in by Shami whose delivery kept low and he was bowled. He made 59 , the highest of West Indian inning, with four hits to the fence and two sixes.
After Bravo's departure West Indies lost all hopes but DJ bravo was still there who is known for big hitting. But only four runs added to the score after DM Bravo, when he was stumped by Dhoni, trying to hit Jadeja out of the ground. His contribution was 29.
Next batsman Ttest captain Darren Sammy, who was criticized for playing irresponsible shots in all the inning of the test series, once again failed to find his form and became Jadeja's victim. He faced 16 balls for his five runs. By now West Indies were 204/8 and tail enders did not last long, except Holder who remained not out on 16.
For India Jadeja and Raina took three wickets each while two wicket went to Ashwin.
