India cruised to a six-wicket win over a seemingly jet-lagged West Indies to commemorate their 1,000th ODI. This was their their first win in ODIs in over six months, and their first in international cricket in 2022. They are now 1-0 ahead in the three-match series at Ahmedabad.
The Indian spinners exorcised the ghosts of the South Africa tour, as Yuzvendra Chahal (4-49) and Washington Sundar (3-30) shared seven wickets. India then chased down 177 in 28 overs, captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front with a 51-ball 60.
Playing his third ODI, Ishan Kishan found himself opening with a familiar partner in his IPL captain Rohit. Despite the 84-run opening stand, India lost four wickets in a span of 32 runs.
Rohit was trapped leg before by Alzarri Joseph. Virat Kohli got an uncharacteristic 4-ball 8. He began with consecutive fours before pulling straight to long leg. Kishan (28 in 36 balls) then fell to Akeal Hosein, failing to clear the ropes while attempting a slog sweep. Pant (11 in 9) was unlucky to get run out at the non-striker’s end after a full-bloodied straight drive off Suryakumar Yadav’s blade grazed Joseph’s hands en route to the stumps.
Debutant Deepak Hooda (26 off 32*) and Suryakumar (34* off 26) then added an unbeaten 62 for the fifth wicket to see India through.
Earlier, empty stands greeted the sides at the world’s largest cricket stadium for India’s 1,000th ODI. More sombreness was in store for India with the passing away of one of its most iconic faces, Lata Mangeshkar. With the country in mourning, the Indian team sported black armbands and observed a minute’s silence.
Rohit won the toss and elected to bowl on a surface that aided spin, keeping the dew in mind. Mohammed Siraj provided the breakthrough in his second over (third of the match) after being driven for successive fours. He got Hope in a position to drive, and brought the ball back to dismantle the stumps.
In a line-up packed with more power-hitters than innings builders, Hope’s wicket was a big blow for West Indies, considering his ability to play long innings.
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Rohit was also quick to capitalise on Sundar’s expertise to bowl inside the Powerplay. Returning to the ODI XI after more than four years, Sundar triggered a collapse, dismissing comeback men Brandon King and Darren Bravo off successive deliveries.
Chahal soon joined the act, getting Nicholas Pooran (18), Kieron Pollard (0) and Shamarh Brooks (12) in a span of seven balls. An over later, Prasidh Krishna picked his first wicket as Rishabh Pant bagged his third catch of the match. From 71/3, West Indies were reeling at 79/7 after 23 overs.
In the process, Chahal became the second-fastest Indian spinner to the 100 ODI-wicket mark, reaching the milestone in his 60th match.
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Jason Holder kept captain Pollard’s pre-series hopes of batting out 50 overs alive with a fighting 57, adding 78 with Fabien Allen (29) for the eighth wicket. But West Indies were bowled out for 176 in 43.5 overs.
West Indies 176 in 43.5 overs (Jason Holder 57; Yuzvendra Chahal 4-49) lost to India 178/4 in 28 overs (Rohit Sharma 60; Alzarri Joseph 2-45) by 6 wickets with 132 balls remaining. Player of the Match: Yuzvendra Chahal.