Agencies :India were humbled by 124 runs by the West Indies in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Kochi. Marlon Samuels’ sparkling century took the visitors to 321 for six and then India crumbled under the pressure applied by the spirited West Indians.Chasing a target of 322 on a good batting surface, many felt that India would have a good chance of getting it. Their batting line-up has been threatening and has often chased down such scores. And, once ShikharDhawan and Ajinkya Rahane started off very well, that belief was further affirmed.But, Rahane and Dhawan had a big mix-up with the latter being run-out. Virat Kohli was caught at first-slip in that familiar fashion where he poked outside the off-stump. And, Ambati Rayudu found mid-on as he used his feet to a paceman. The in-form Suresh Raina was bowled for a blob and MS Dhoni never got going. Once they started losing those wickets, India never recovered and were behind the eight ball throughout. Dhawan fought with an innings of 68, but the required rate kept climbing. All the bowlers barring Suleiman Benn contributed with wickets, but Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo and Samuels took two apiece. There was some fight from Ravindra Jadeja, but it was a lost cause by then.This is the second consecutive game where India’s batting collapsed. In England, they had a similar performance in the last ODI, which was a dead game. India would go back to the drawing board and introspect what went wrong.The fans in Kochi had turned out in numbers hours before the scheduled start of play. But, some uncertainty loomed over the game. Yes, there was a threat of rain, but the pay-dispute between the West Indies players and the board but a cloud over the game as there was a word about a possible boycott. But, the West Indies team turned up on time and Dwayne Bravo was present at the toss, where they were put in to by Indian skipper Dhoni.Through the West Indies innings, India looked ragged in the field. On many occasions, there were misfields, with fielders diving over the ball and letting it go through. West Indies too made a few mistakes. Two of their batsmen, Darren Bravo and Dwayne Smith were dismissed immediately after smashing a six.There was a change in the ranks as Dwayne Bravo opened the batting with Smith. He did look good but was dismissed in the eight over. Darren Bravo and Smith then put up a 50-run stand. They had laid the platform for a big score. But, things were in the balance when Darren Bravo was dismissed in the 23rd over. That was when Samuels and Ramdin got together.
