Not many might have expected this scenario, but one game in, West Indies have a serious shot at their first ODI series win against India in India since 2002.
West Indies beat India in the first game in Chennai by eight wickets, and head to the Visakhapatnam ODI today high on confidence. The rather easy manner in which they beat India at Chepauk will do them a world of good too, while putting doubts in India’s game-plan.
India had posted 287 for 8 batting first, reviving from early setbacks through Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant’s half-centuries. It seemed like a stiff target but Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope scored contrasting tons to make light work of the challenge. Hetmyer blasted 139 off 106 balls while anchor Hope remained unbeaten on 102 off 151.
It’s West Indies fourth consecutive ODI win in India, and India’s fourth consecutive ODI loss at home. West Indies look a different side under Kieron Pollard’s leadership, the intensity and clarity in roles visible in the first ODI.
It’s India who will be pondering their options and strategy now. It was a rare game in which each of their top three batsmen – KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – failed, but the batting still managed to put up a competitive total through Iyer and Pant. Iyer showed once again why he’s the best No. 4 option for India at the moment, while Pant found a good balance between attack and defence. Neither went on to score a century, but India will be pleased with their efforts given their struggles in the middle order in recent times. Kedar Jadhav played a handy knock too. Yet, India will want at least one of the top three to make it big, for that’s when they are at their best.
