India arrived in the West Indies with their confidence rocketing sky-high but in just over a week, the engines have come off. The two losses in Kingston mean they now find themselves in a position where even two wins won’t be enough to guarantee their progression. Both Sri Lanka and West Indies have the cushion of a bonus point and India will need to find at least one to improve their position. They were in a DO or DIE position and job was made more tough in Dhoni’s absence but thanks to the heroics of Kohli, India managed a win not only a win but a win with a bonus point that will certainly help their chances to reach the final.
India 311 for 7 (Kohli 102, Dhawan 69, Bhuvneshwar 3-29) were sufficient for an inform West Indies 171 (Charles 45,) as India beat West Indies by 102 runs by D/L Method enjoying the asset of a bonus point.
Match begins with West Indies winning the toss and putting India to bat first in an all pressured game. Rohit and Dhawan were at the crease to give India a dream start and they succeeded in doing so with a 100 run stand, the openers managed 123 runs for the first wicket before Dhawan was taken out by Roach of the very first ball of the 24th over. The new captain Virat Kohli was at the crease to join Rohit Sharma but Rohit too followed his partner’s path to pavilion getting out to Best in the 30th over. Suresh Raina then came to the crease but his disappointing work with the bat continues as he too fell to Samuels in the 33rd over. Dinesh Karthik who didn’t get much chance in the Champions Trophy was at the crease to prove his selection but coming and going of Indian Batsmen didn’t stop as he too threw away his wicket to Best leaving India to 168/4 in 35.1 overs. The fall of 4 wickets for just 45 runs completely shadowed the contribution of Dhawan and Rohit at the start and India’s middle order was exposed. As a result Murali Vijay joined Kohli at the center. Both of them tried to put Indian rail on the track by playing some beautiful shots before Pollard came to end Vijay struggle at the crease who made a handy 27 off 21 balls. Sir Jadeja then came to the Indian rescue but he too couldn’t do any good to the team as his innings was ended by a needless run-out. Ashwin came to support Kohli at the center and with a captain leading from the front they took India to a mighty score of 311 in 50 overs with Kohli scores a stupendous 102 off just 83 balls and Ashwin contribution with a handy 25 at the end. Kohli was taken on the last ball of the innings by Bravo who is coming down from an injury but the damage was done.
India now stands a good chance to win this. To get a bonus point they need to restrict West Indies to 248 in 50 overs. West Indies just need to win to ensure their qualification to the finals.
West Indies start with Gayle and Charles at the crease and got off to a disastrous start as Kumar removed the dangerous looking Gayle for just 10 on the very 3rd over of the innings bringing a major relief to the Indian dugout. Kumar was not to stop here as he becomes unplayable with each passing ball. West Indies haven’t recovered from the dismissal of Gayle but they were to suffer another major blow with Darren Bravo edging one to slip and guess who it is??? It’s none other than Bhuvneshvar Kumar who struck back to back in his following overs to give India a good chance at earning a bonus point. At the end of 10 overs West Indies were 56/2 but the rain was to do some damage too with target reducing to 274 in 39 overs. The rain looked like bringing West Indies a defeat as the play resumed West Indies lost 3 wickets in succession ending their hopes to come back into the match. They just look to devoid India from that bonus point. With the likes of Yadav and Kumar they were bowled out for a mere 171 in 34 overs.
This win will be a great boost for Kohli and their men. India’s win over West Indies has once again left the tournament wide open.
Man of the Match- Virat Kohli for his mind blowing knock of 102 which help team India won with a bonus point.