India vs West Indies: Kohli hails team's `clinical` performance

Antigua [West Indies], July 1 (ANI): India skipper Virat Kohli has hailed team's clinical performance after they registered an emphatic 93-run win over West Indies to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.

"I think it was a very clinical performance," said Kohli in the post-match presentation on Friday.

"Early on there was quite a bit of moisture on the wicket. It was really a good toss for them to win and they bowled really well upfront."

India lost the key wicktets of in-form batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli early in the innings but Ajinkya Rahane (72) and Yuvraj Singh (39) made sure that the team does not lose more wickets. They both played steadily and kept the scoreboard ticking. After Yuvraj fell LBW to Devendra Bishoo, Rahane was joined by former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Rahane was, however, later dismissed in the 42nd over.

Dhoni then partnered with Kedar Jadhav to propel India's score to go past 250-mark. The duo added 100 runs in the last 10 overs and provided the much needed impetus to the Indian bowlers.

Heaping praise on the batters, Kohli said, "Ajinkya (Rahane) batted well and Yuvi's (Yuvraj Singh) 40-odd (39) were really important runs. MS at the end along with Kedar finished it really well. We thought 250 was a very competitive total."

The hosts were never in the hunt as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 158 in 38.1 overs.

Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav ended the match with three wickets yet again while Ravichandran Ashwin also got as many. All-rounder Hardik Pandya picked two while Umesh Yadav and Kedar Jadhav scalped one wicket each.

"The bowlers bowled really well despite the wicket being better in the second innings," said Kohli.

The Indian skipper also indicated they would be making changes into the team for the remaining two games.

We have quite a few players who have not got a game. It is important to have a look at them and figure out where they stand in pressure situations," he added.

The two teams will now lock horns in the fourth ODI at the same venue on Sunday. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI