Kohli, Rohit tons guide men in blue to 8-wicket victory

It was the 22nd ton for Kohli while chasing, 14th as a skipper, 15th at home and, 5th against West Indies which is the most number of tons slammed by any Indian batsmen

Continuing their winning run at home, India registered a remarkable 8-wicket victory in the first ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on Sunday. The mayhem caused by the centuries from skipper Virat Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma helped the men in blue chasing down the 323-run in 42.1 over to lead the 5-match rubber 1-0.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan began the run chase but couldn’t provide a decent start. Dhawan got out early as he lost his wicket in the 2^nd over to debutant Oshane Thomas after scoring just 4 runs.

Skipper Virat Kohli joined Rohit at the crease and began hammering the Caribbean bowlers. With all their guns ablaze, the duo put 71 runs on the board in the first 10 overs. In the eleventh over, the Indian captain got his fifty in 34 balls which turned out to be his 4^th fastest century in ODIs.

In the 23^rd over, Rohit Sharma scored a half-century while India have already gone past the 140-run mark.

Post getting their respective fifties, both the batters turn more brutal as they shifted the gear and batted more furiously to taste the victory.

In the 5^th ball of the 27th^th over, Kohli hit an overpitched delivery from Kemar Roach to a four to bring up his 36^th hundred in style. He got the three digits in just 88 balls.

It was the 22^nd ton for Kohli while chasing, 14^th as a skipper, 15^th at home and, 5^th against West Indies which is the most number of tons slammed by any Indian batsmen.

Following his skipper, the Indian vice-captain didn’t disappoint the Guwahati crowd as he too brought up his 20^th ODI hundred in the 32^nd over off just 84 balls. This was the 4^th century partnership between Kohli and Rohit which is also the most 100s in the same ODI innings by an Indian pair. They have now equalled the record of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli and Rohit added 246 runs for the second wicket before Kohli was stumped by Shai Hope of Devendra Bishoo’s bowling in the 33^rd over. he ended up scoring 140 runs in 107 balls including 21 fours and 2 sixes.

Ambati Rayudu came at number 4 and batted till the end. He remained unbeaten on 22 while Rohit smacked a last-ball six to not bring up his 150 but also win the game for India by 8 wickets with 47 balls remaining.

Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer scored 106 off 78 balls while opener Kieran Powell made 51 as West Indies posted a stiff 323 for eight after being sent in to bat.

Brief Scores:

West Indies: 322 for eight in 50 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 106, Kieran Powell 51; Yuzvendra Chahal 3/41).

India: 326 for two in 42.1 overs (Rohit Sharma 152 not out; Virat Kohli 140; Devendra Bishoo 1/72).