The first ODI of the three-match series between India and West Indies, proved to be a one-sided contest as the Windies chased down the total with extreme ease, as Indian bowling proved to be toothless.
India batted first after Pollard won the toss and put on 287/8 on board with Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant scoring half-centuries and adding 114 runs for the fourth wicket. Sheldon Cottrell removed Rahul and Virat early to dent hopes for a big score. Kedar Jadhav made 40 in 35 balls and took India to a decent total. Apart from Cottrell, Paul and Joseph also picked two wickets each.
The chase was supposed to be a sporting one given the Indian team’s experience of playing here. But Shimron Hetmyer (139 with 7 sixes and 11 fours) and Shai Hope (102* with 7 fours and 1 six) added 218 runs for the second wicket to put West Indies in a commanding position of winning the match. Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja proved to be ineffective, while Jadhav and Dube failed to stem the flow of runs after Shami and Chahar’s initial spell. Shami and Chahar picked one wicket each.
West Indies won the match in 48th over with 8 wickets in hand.
The cricket fraternity lauded Shimron Hetmyer’s belligerent century which helped WI rout India on Twitter.
