Kohli ton sets up series win

Right-hander slams 20th ODI century as India clinch series after WI pullout

The West Indies, indifferent and insipid for a large part of the match, launched a sudden counter-attack, engineered by Marlon Samuels, to give India a fright before succumbing to a 59-run defeat victory at the HPCA stadium on Friday.

Put off by their off-field problems, West Indies were nowhere in contention but Samuels, along with Andre Russell, batted like a man possessed. He, however, ran short of partners. In the process, he reached his seventh ODI hundred, second of the series, and made a contest of a clash which had looked lifeless before he took over.

The West Indies pullout made the ODI here the decider of the series, which India won 2-1, though not the way they would have liked to.

The reluctance of West Indies to compete showed in their body language during the day. The fielding was sloppy and there were dropped catches, including those of Ajinkya Rahane and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India, led by the well-paced 20th century of Virat Kohli (127) and his 138-run partnership with Suresh Raina (71) lit up the day with an imposing 330/6. However, the pitch, full of runs, seemed to have dried out for the West Indies before Samuels (112, 106b, 9x4, 6x6) decided to go berserk. They folded up for 271 in 48.1 overs after electing to field.

West Indies’ innings was jolted early by the dismissals of Dwayne Smith and Kieron Pollard, who had consumed 31 balls for his six runs. Samuels then scripted two 50-run partnerships. First, with Darren Bravo (56) but looked threatening later with Russell with whom he raised 57 runs in mere 34 balls.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who replaced Amit Mishra, impressed in his debut with figures of 10-1-26-2, claiming crucial wickets of well-set Bravo and Darren Sammy.In contrast, the Indians prospered on a perfect batting strip, small boundary and quick outfield. With the ball coming on nicely, India, after a long time, raised a solid opening stand of 70 runs, with both Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan feasting on the ordinary attack.

 The Caribbean bowlers’ attempt to stifle the run fest with the short ball gave rewards when a dangerous looking Dhawan mistimed a pull to open the floor for Virat Kohli, who this time came at his preferred No. 3 spot.

The conditions were inviting for Kohli, who on the eve of the match had claimed to have rediscovered his confidence. A flat deck and an assiduous Rahane at the other end allowed him to settle.

It was an unhurried start by the 25-year-old. The focus was more on getting the placements and waiting for the loose ball. He raced to his half-century with a wristy hit to the fence and the Kohli of old was back in reckoning.

Rahane’s innings was halted by Sulieman Benn when the former tried to sweep him only to be hit on the pads. And Raina, who is enjoying a rip-roaring form, was just too happy to take over. His blazing innings dented the West Indian morale as Kohli becoming increasingly menacing.

Raina, with five soaring sixes, was unlucky to miss out on his century but Kohli was not to give away the opportunity that had come to him after months. A flick made him the fastest to bring up the 20th ODI century in 133 innings overtaking Sachin Tendulkar who had taken  197 innings to reach the milestone.

Dhoni stayed precariously during his brief innings before being run out by Pollard. By that time, however, the bulk of the job was done. 

India had gleaned 94 runs in the last 10 overs to pose a stout total for a struggling Caribbean side.