India win by six wickets, outclass West Indies again

Kochi, Nov 21 (IANS) After outclassing the West Indies 2-0 in the Test series, India Thursday continued its domination over the Caribbean team in the first ODI of the three-match series with a comprehensive six-wicket victory at the Nehru Stadium here.

Rohit Sharma (72) and Virat Kohli (86) added 133 runs for the second wicket as India scored 212 for four in just 35.2 overs in response to the West Indies’ 211 all out in 48.5 overs.

Rohit, who had scored 491 runs in his previous six ODI matches at an average of 122.75, smashed eight fours and a six in his 81-ball innings.

The 26-year-old continued to dominate the West Indies bowling, having scored 111 not out and 177 in the two-match Test series.

Kohli, who had a poor outing in the Tests, was in great touch and looked completely at ease. He hit nine fours and two sixes in the 84 balls he faced.

He joined Viv Richards as the fastest batsman to reach 5,000 runs, with both players taking 114 innings to reach the milestone.

Yuvraj Singh (16 not out) was sent ahead of Suresh Raina to give the left-hander some time on the pitch.

Without taking many risks, the 31-year-old notched a 42-run partnership with Kohli and stuck it out till the end.

Kohli, probably eyeing his 18th hundred, tried one too many shots and fell victim to Jason Holder.

Suresh Raina (0) returned to the pavilion as quickly as he came out, leaving captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (13) to do the clean-up job.

Earlier, electing to bat, West Indies lost explosive opener Chris Gayle (0) in the second ball of the match, courtesy a run-out.

Johnson Charles (42) and Marlon Samuels (24) strung together a 65-run stand for the second wicket.

The visitors lost Samuels and Charles in quick succession but Darren Bravo (59) steadied the innings with some classical batting.

However, the Trinidadian’s fall opened the floodgates as the West Indian middle-order, just like in the Tests, surrendered without a fight.

The Caribbean outfit lost seven wickets for just 69 runs, all but handing the match to India.

It was a field day for Indian spinners as Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets apiece while Ravichandran Ashwin picked up two.