Windies v India 2nd ODI: 5 Game Changing Moments

Indian team has been under a lot of pressure for some controversies off the field. However, they have handled it pretty well as they thumped Windies by 105 runs. The rain gods reduced the game to 43 overs and Holder won the toss and chose to bowl first. Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan got into their groove pretty early.

It was Dhawan who started off well but couldn’t convert his half to a century. Rahane, however, carried on to score his 3rd ODI century. He started off slowly but as soon as Dhawan left the field Rahane picked up to show his true colours. Rahane and Kohli scripted another partnership and India were in a strong position. The Indian captain too hit an 87-run knock before being dismissed in the deep.

India put up a grand total of 310 in 43 overs and Windies never looked like getting there. However, Shai Hope gave them a bit of hope but Kuldeep Yadav got rid of him at the right time and it was game over after that. Windies managed to play out all the overs as India took the game by 105 runs as the score for Windies read 205 for 6  after 43 overs. There were many moments that shaped the game as it happened but let us look at the 5 game-changing moments.

#1 Rahane’s onslaught

Ajinkya Rahane was slow off the blocks and it was Dhawan’s bat that did the talking. The southpaw was the major contributor in their partnership but as soon as he was dismissed, Rahane took the matter into his own hands. He had seen enough balls and was ready to take the game to the Windies bowlers. The Mumbaikar was just 46 of 51 deliveries and ended up with 103 off 104.

Rahane’s onslaught allowed Virat Kohli to take his time and later even the skipper joined the party. Both of them scored some quick runs for the second wicket. Their partnership was worth 97 runs in just 94 deliveries. With Rahane contributing 57 runs of those 97. It was a terrific inning by Ajinkya Rahane which helped India to a great total.

#2 Holder’s no-ball misery

Jason Holder has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He is playing with an inexperienced team and leading them is not easy. However, Holder was himself not up to the mark in the second ODI. He was taken apart by the Indian batters and had a poor day.

Holder’s last over summed up his day at the office. He first bowled a waist-height full toss which ideally should’ve been called but wasn’t. Then followed it up with a front foot no-ball. That was not it, he again bowled a waist-height no-ball to Dhoni and a ball later he bowled another one to Kedar Jadhav which saw had him being barred from bowling any further and Jason Carter had to bowl the last delivery. That over cost Windies 22 runs and India finished with 310.

#3 Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s opening over

Kumar is known for his spot-on length and the ability to swing the ball both ways. Kieron Powell somehow managed to play the first two balls. There was a huge appeal on the second ball, but as it had pitched outside the leg-stump line which was turned down by the umpire.

Powell’s feet were not moving and the with very next delivery Bhuvi sent him packing as he nicked one to MS Dhoni behind the stumps. It was some terrific bowling from the Indian swing bowler that got him his first scalp. He then bowled a couple of excellent deliveries to Jason Mohammad. The last one swung well to hit him on the pads which yielded Windies their first runs.

#4 Kuldeep’s review sends Hope packing

Shai Hope was the only one who kept Windies alive in the game. He was batting extremely well. Hope displayed a good defensive game and could attack the ball whenever he wanted. Just as he was starting to look dangerous and would’ve wanted to capitalise on the start, Kuldeep Yadav got his second ODI success to end the matters there.

Kuldeep, the only second Chinaman to play in the limited-overs cricket from the sub-continent, was bowling extremely well. He trapped Hope right in front as he missed an attempted sweep. Dhoni behind the stumps appealed and Kuldeep was sure he had got his man but the umpire turned it down. Hope was batting on 81 of 87 deliveries then. India took their review and the umpire had to change his decision. With this wicket, any expectations Windies had were extinguished.

#5 Holder’s wicket – the final nail in the coffin

After Shai’s wicket Holder was Windies’s last ray of hope. It was still an uphill task but Holder was keeping their hopes alive. He was playing a run a ball inning and Indians needed to get rid of him just to make sure there was no more threat.

Windies never looked like chasing down the total but you can never count them out. Hence, Virat brought his triumph card into the attack and sealed the win for India. Kuldeep was hard to pick for any batter and Holder couldn’t read him either. He went down the track and Dhoni after keeping the ball played with Holder a bit by not taking the bails off but he was way down the track and there was no chance.