India vs Windies, 1st ODI - Who Said What

There was a hope of some competition in the ODI series between India and Windies. The visitors looked threatening to go past the Men in Blue after scoring 322 runs. But Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were yet to bat on a flat track and they literally made a mockery of their bowling. Both of them smashed centuries at will and made it look so easy that it felt like India chased down 223 and not 323.

Shikhar Dhawan failed to get going today after a superb Asia Cup. He was undone by the debutant pacer Oshane Thomas in the second over itself to stun the crowd. But the Indian captain walked in and everything seemed too easy. He walked at the bowlers from the word go and with the quick outfield, just perfectly placed the ball. The runs came so easily at the start for him even as Rohit looked on admiring his skipper.

Soon, even the vice-captain of the team opened his arms and the duo started to have fun in the middle. They added 246 runs in just 32 overs together and by the time, Kohli was dismissed after scoring 140 runs, only formalities were left. Even Rohit had crossed the three-figure mark and looked more dangerous. Ambati Rayudu walked out to bat and did no harm to his chances of playing at number four on a long-term basis. The game was eventually and fittingly finished.

Hetmyer shows his class

Shimron Hetmyer, earlier in the day, proved his class. While the Windies top-order blew away a chance to score big, the flamboyant left-hander just peppered the Indian bowling with some great hitting to notch up his third ODI century. Kieran Powell supported him well but he couldn’t score beyond 51. Jason Holder also chipped in with important runs while the contribution from Kemar Roach and Devendra Bishoo were crucial as well.

They posted a total of 322 runs on the board after being invited to bat first which looked competitive or rather winning at one stage. But little did they know that India’s best batsmen will fire together on the day.

India captain and the Man of the Match, Virat Kohli said:

Feels pretty good. Very convincing for us. Windies put up a really good total. 320 targets are very tricky, but we knew we could do it with a big partnership. It’s never too difficult when you have Rohit at the other end.

Among the top three, I mostly take the anchor role because both Rohit and Shikhar are good stroke-makers. It was one of those days where I felt good and I told Rohit I will continue to bat this way positively and maybe you can play the anchor role.

When Rayudu came he took that role and Rohit took over from me. I think that’s what ODI batting is all about. It’s about communication and batting in partnerships. It’s our 5th or 6th double-century partnership, it’s a pleasure to bat with him.

When we are batting like that, it’s good fun out there and we know the team will benefit form it as well. I have few years left in my career to enjoy this sport. Playing for country is a matter of pride and a huge honour. You can’t afford to take any game lightly.

You got to be honest to the sport and that is when the sport gives you back. I try to do that. That’s my basic thinking, because you are playing for India and not everyone gets to do that. It’s difficult to contain when a side like Windies bats like that.

I don’t want to be too harsh on the bowlers, but yes, we could have applied a bit better and bowled better in the last few overs. That is something to learn for us

Windies captain, Jason Holder said:

Pleased with the guys for the batting effort. Hetmyer batted exceptionally well. We needed to be a lot more decent with the ball. Probably we got a par score. Credit to Kohli and Rohit for taking the game away from us. Oshane is one of the exciting talents we have got. Hopefully we can play better in the second game.