The 50-over series between India and West Indies started off well for the visitors as they destroyed the Windies’ batting order and restricted them to just 114 runs in the first innings. In reply, Team India chased down the total comfortably in just 23 overs and won the game by five wickets. Although, one of the most talked about moments from the match was the batting position of Virat Kohli. Known as India’s run machine, the 34-year-old engraved a unique record after the first ODI.
During the match, the former India skipper did not walk to the middle after the fall of the first wicket, which is a rare sight. Even after losing as many as five wickets, Kohli did not come to bat. This was the very first time in his career that the Delhi-based batter did not come out to bat after India lost five wickets. Finally, the wait was over when Kohli came out to bat at number 7 in ODIs, but this time, he was positioned 8th.
Talking about the game, the Men in Blue bowled really well after winning the toss. Indian spinners specially dismantled the Windies’ batting order. Skipper Shai Hope only starred with the bat with a score of 43 runs. For India, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were the stars, restricting them to just 114 runs in the first innings.
Chinaman spinner Kuldeep scalped four wickets, whereas Jadeja picked up three with Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, and Mukesh Kumar striking once. The Indian team lost five wickets during the run chase but won the match by five wickets. After winning the Test series, they will now look to clinch the ODI series as well.
"I never thought the pitch would play like that, it was the team's need to bowl first and have a score. The pitch had everything for the seamers and spinners, our guys did well to restrict them to that score. We wanted to give game time to the ODI guys who have come in, we will keep trying those things whenever possible." Rohit said after the match.