India cruise to six-wicket win against West Indies

KOCHI: India seem to be making a habit of finishing matches in quick time. Whether it was those mammoth run chases against Australia in the recent ODI series or the Tests against West Indies, India romped home in style with plenty of time left in the game. And it was no different in the first ODI of their three-match series against West Indies at Nehru stadium on Thursday. They put in a clinical performance to cruise to victory in just 35.2 overs with six wickets in hand. And it was only right that the win was scripted quickly as the heavens opened soon after the presentation ceremony. Though the target was just 212, it didn't look that easy given how West Indies batsmen struggled when they batted on a pitch which was keeping low and slow. But two men, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who can do no wrong of late, turned on the style against an insipid West Indian attack. Kohli stroked his way to a majestic 86 from 84 balls while Rohit hit an equally sublime 72 from 81 balls to inflict yet another demoralising defeat on the visitors. Both of them also looked good for a ton but missed out. Rohit was caught in the deep attempting a pull off Jason Holder after hitting eight fours and a six in his knock. Kohli on the other hand, lost his wicket in an attempt to get to a century, holing out to Narine at long-off. Virat found the ropes on nine occasions and hit two sixes too. Though India lost Raina cheaply, Yuvraj Singh (16 not out) and MS Dhoni (13 not out) ensured India reached the target easily. Earlier, West Indies got off to a dreadful start after opting to bat. They lost Gayle off the second ball to a run out. What's worse, they could lose him for the next two games too. The dashing opener attempted a sharp single off pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but the bowler was quick to react and hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with Gayle short of the mark. That was just the start of their troubles as barring Darren Bravo (59), none of the other batsmen applied themselves on a wicket that afforded generous turn and indifferent bounce and they were bowled out for 211 in 48.5 overs. Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja grabbed three wickets each.