Rohit Sharma – Indian Cricket Team
It was a brilliant start to the tour with the winning of the T20 match, but it is good to see that the young Indian team won the first ODI against West Indies also. Rohit Sharma held centre-stage with a well-compiled unbeaten 68 as India, pursuing 215, defeated the West Indies by four wickets in the first ODI. Indian team lead the five-match series 1-0.
Also Read: YuppTV To Stream India-West Indies Cricket Series Online
Opener Shikhar Dhawan (51) and Raina (43), both left-handers, donned crucial roles as India nailed the chase. But Rohit Sharma bats with dare and flair and show extraordinary temperament. The surface was sluggish and batting demanded application. Rohit was not found wanting.
The Indian team could have been under pressure in the end overs had Anthony Martin held on to a return catch off Yusuf Pathan with the score at 189 for five. But fortunately the opportunity had appeared and disappeared in a flash and the bowler had to bury his face in anguish. But the next time Yusuf offered another return catch, Ravi Rampaul made no mistake by pouching a low, hard drive. Harbhajan Singh put a full stop to the match by swinging West Indian captain Darren Sammy beyond the square-leg fence.
This was an innings where Rohit Sharma applied himself, relying on singles and twos. When India required increasing the tempo in the final stretch, Rohit put his foot on the accelerator.
He waltzed down the track, created room and eased Darren Sammy over the cover fence for a rousing stroke. Rohit essayed another shot that underlined his inventiveness. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo spun the ball away from him but Rohit still managed to wrist him over mid-wicket to find the fence.
India got a early shock when Dwanye Bravo’s ball caught Parthiv Patel short of the crease at the striker’s end. Very soon even Virat Kohli chased a short, wide one from Rampaul for Baugh to snaffle up the edge. Shikhar Dhawan managed to make an impression. The batsman with a flourishing back-lift off-drove Rampaul with panache and then punched the paceman square off the pitch.
Rohit and Raina joined forces when India was down at 104 for four in the 26th over. The duo spun the game in India’s favour. Skipper Raina was circumspect, working the ball around, preserving his wicket and building a crucial partnership with Rohit. Along the way, he also provided glimpses of his shot-making ability.
The left-hander, going down on one knee, square drove Sammy. He soon swept Martin powerfully to the fence. However, Raina also gave the host some hope when he was caught by Martin. But there were no comebacks though for the West Indies.
Tags: 1st ODI, Cricket, IND, India, Indian Cricket Team, ODI Match, ODI Series, Preview, Rohit Sharma, West Indies, WI
