GUWAHATI, India – Left-hander Shimron Hetmyer struck a dashing hundred, but Rohit Sharma and captain Virat Kohli answered with high-quality centuries of their own, as India hardly broke a sweat in chasing down a competitive 300-plus total to easily win the opening One-Day International on Sunday.
Facing a tricky target of 323 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, India produced an imperious run chase to get over the line with nearly eight overs remaining and draw first blood in the five-match series, condemning West Indies to an 11th defeat in their last 13 ODIs.
They had appeared to put India on the backfoot when Hetmyer’s 106 propelled them up to 322 for eight off their 50 overs – only their fourth 300-plus total since the 2015 World Cup – but Rohit slammed a robust, unbeaten 152 while Kohli stroked a breathtaking 140, to brutally snatch the game away from the Windies.
The assault came in the form of a magnificent record 246-run second-wicket stand between Rohit and Kohli, which pulled the innings around after debutant fast bowler Oshane Thomas forced Shikhar Dhawan to play on in the second over for four with the score on ten. (CMC)
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