The middle-order batters' lack of intent was one of the major concerns following India's embarrassing 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series against South Africa.
Fortunately, such wasn't the case in the three-match ODI series opener against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, as former India cricketer Virender Sehwag pointed out, praising two Indian players for their "great composure" during the 177-run chase in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
India had lost three wickets in quick succession after a good start to the chase, with skipper Rohit Sharma (60) and youngster Ishan Kishan (28) stitching an 84-run partnership.
Then Suryakumar Yadav and debutant Deepak Hooda teamed up for a 62-run unbeaten partnership as India reached the target in only 28 overs.
Sehwag, in a video posted on his Instagram, said that he thought West Indies would get back into the game following the three rapid dismissals - Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant - but praised Hooda and Suryakumar for not repeating India's ODI series loss to South Africa last month.
"Rishabh Pant was unlucky. Very rarely it happens that a batter hits a perfect straight drive and the non-striker gets run out because of it. At this juncture, it seemed West Indies would make a comeback, as India's middle-order is inexperienced."
"Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Hooda showcased great composure and finished off the game, which we did not see in South Africa from our middle-order and lower middle-order batters," said the former India opener batter.
Sehwag was also effusive in his appreciation for Rohit, who returned to international cricket after a two-month absence and not only led the team to victory in their 1000th ODI but also contributed with the bat, hitting 60 off 51 deliveries.
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"Rohit Sharma, who missed the South Africa tour due to injury, has made a brilliant comeback. While India won the match under his captaincy, he also contributed significantly with that bat," he said.
The second ODI will be held in Ahmedabad on February 9.
