IND v WI 2018: Virat Kohli pleased with India’s clinical showing in the fourth ODI

Team India bundled out West Indies for 153 after posting a mammoth 377 on the board.

Kohli was full of praise for the left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed | AFP

Virat Kohli was an elated captain as Team India recorded a thumping 224-run victory over West Indies in the fourth ODI at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Monday (October 29).

Riding on centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu, India posted a mammoth 377/5 on the board and then bundled out the visitors for 153 in 36.2 overs courtesy three-wicket hauls from Khaleel Ahmed (3/13) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/42).

It was India's third biggest win (by runs) in ODI history and the biggest against a Test playing nation in the 50-over format. By virtue of this resounding victory, the Men in Blue also ensured a 2-1 lead in the five-ODI series.

"Definitely back on track. Ticked all the boxes, clinical in all three departments. We were put under a bit of pressure in the 3rd ODI, but we bounced back," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Batting first, India got off to a solid start with Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan taking on the Windies bowlers right from the word go. Both the openers added 71 runs for the first wicket but Dhawan got out for 38, yet again failing to capitalize on a good start. Skipper Virat Kohli suffered a rare failure as he departed for 16, in an attempt to play a shot towards third-man against Kemar Roach. After Kohli's departure, Rohit along with Rayudu consolidated the Indian innings in the middle overs.

Sharma and Rayudu shared a 211-run partnership for the third wicket. While Rohit played a 162-run knock off 137 balls, scoring his world record seventh 150-plus total in ODIs, Rayudu notched up his third century (100 runs off 81 balls). Towards the end, MS Dhoni (23 off 15 balls) and Kedar Jadhav (16 off 7 balls) helped India get past the 350-run mark.

"Rayudu's taken his opportunity with both hands, and we need to back him till the 2019 World Cup. He reads the game well, and he bats with intelligence," Kohli asserted.

Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the Indian bowlers and skipper was all praise for the young left-arm pacer.

"Khaleel is an exciting talent. If the pitch has something to offer, he can extract something. Bowled in the right areas, not too full not too short. Happy to see him make the ball talk," Kohli concluded.

Thiruvananthapuram will host the fifth and final ODI between India and West Indies on November 1.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 30 Oct, 2018

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