Cricket – And A Third Win Too
Pursuing a revised target of 187 in 37 overs, India danced home by seven wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval. Originally chasing 241 in 50, Indian team were 100 for one in 22 overs when rain held up play for 85 minutes. When the contest resumed, India needed 83 more runs in 15 overs. It was like reading nursery rhymes! India now have a 2-0 lead in the five-match Digicel ODI series.
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Two match-winners were playing yesterday– one with the ball i.e. Amit Mishra and the other with the willow viz Virat Kohli.
After leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s deadly strikes ambushed the West Indies and just when the host was prepared to put on a good fight, Virat Kohli’s focus and bat-speed gave India the necessary runs on the board.
The Indians oozed confidence when they began the chase. The target was achievable on a surface better suited for stroke-play than the pitch for the first ODI. The ball was turning but it was also coming on to the bat.
Virat Kohli made 81 in a knock that was both enterprising and responsible. The team got good contribution from Parthiv Patel (56). He added 120 runs for the second wicket with Kohli.
The host team lacked spirit and cohesion on the field and they did not seize on the rare chances. The side also allowed crucial moments to fly away.
Parthiv got saved on 44 when Dwayne Bravo, running in from long-on and then diving forward, failed to hold on to the ball. Leg-spinner Anthony Martin, the bowler was quite anguished. Immediately Parthiv grabbed the chance and wristed Martin for a rousing six over mid-wicket. Parthiv by eventually dismissed by Martin only due to swiftness of the wicket keeper Carlton Baugh.
With skipper Raina joining Kohli, the right-left pair continued to torture the West Indies bowling. Raina was full of confidence and it did not take him long to find a good imposing stance.
Raina swept Martin for the maximum and then swung the leg-spinner to the fence. Kohli too joined in. Pollard, with his medium pace, was blasted over mid-wicket for one short pitch. Kohli picked the length of spinner Dvendra Bishoo quickly and pulled him. He then, dismissed the leg-spinner over his head for a glorious six. Sammy was crashed through covers. Kohli was fortunate on 38 when Sammy at slip, was slow to react when he attempted to cut Bishoo.
Moments later, Kohli was held at long-off off Bishoo. The dismissal did not matter. Raina (26 not out) and Rohit Sharma duly closed out the game.
Kohli duly reached his 2000th ODI runs in his 56th match. He was awarded the Match of the Match Award.
Tags: 2nd ODI, Cricket, IND, India, ODI Match, ODI Series, Review, Virat Kohli, West Indies, WI
