Published: Oct 27, 2018, 10:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 27, 2018, 10:11 PM (IST)
India captain Virat Kohli expressed disappointment at India’s inability to restrict West Indies to a total much less than 283. Batting first West Indies were reduced to 227 for 8 in the 44th overs, and from a scenario where even 250 looked tough, the lower-order pair of Ashley Nurse and Kemar Roach revived the innings with a partnership of 56 runs for the ninth wicket. Nurse scored 40 off 22 balls with four boundaries and was helped by Roach’s 15 off 19. In reply, India were bowled out for 240 in 47.4 overs, resulting in a 43-run win for West Indies, one that helped them level the series 1-1.
“We bowled well, the wicket wasn’t offering much in the first 35 overs,” Kohli said during the presentation ceremony. “In the later half, it became difficult. We should’ve been chasing 250-260, max, but that apart the bowling was fine. Just that we gave away a little in the last 10 overs and should’ve closed it out better.”
Kohli continued his sensational form with the bat scoring a 38th ODI century. But while he kept India on course, no other batsman could support him. Shikhar Dhawan scored 35 and Rishabh Pant contributed with 24, but barring them, the rest of the batsmen disappointed with under-fire MS Dhoni managing just seven runs. India were hampered by lack of partnerships during their chase, as per Kohli. “We couldn’t get partnerships, which doesn’t happen often. We were fine on the field. We didn’t execute our plans properly,” he said.
Crediting West Indies on their performance, Kohli hinted at the inclusion of Kedar Jadhav for the next game. The middle-order batsman was recently drafted into the Indian squad for the remaining matches and Kohli pointed out that the inclusion of the 33-year-old provides the team better balance.
“West Indies is an explosive side, capable of beating anyone on their day, and they deserved to win,” said the India skipper. “When Hardik and Kedar both play, we get the extra option. When someone like Hardik is not playing, who gives you both bowling and batting option, it is difficult to get the balance. Kedar comes into the side in the next game, that’ll give us the balance and depth in the batting. You will always drift to one side when you don’t have the balance. We have to think about the perfect balance we need.”
India were 64 runs away from win when Kohli, their last hope, was dismissed. Trying to pull Marlon Samuels, the Indian captain was bowled, but not after he had acquired more batting records. Not only did he bring up his 38th ODI century but also became the first Indian batsman to score a hat-trick of hundreds in ODI cricket.
“I don’t want to talk about my batting. It is a bit embarrassing when people ask you the same thing again and again,” Kohli said. “I wanted to go after him (Samuels) and just did not execute well. Definitely, we have to take the wins and losses in our stride, was just a bad day at the office. Just shake the loss away. Our plans are in place and we just need to execute better.”
