India’s Ajinka Rahane, left, celebrates after he scored a century against West Indies during their second ODI. (Source: AP)
After rain played spoilsport in the first ODI, it almost seemed like the rain-gods had similar intentions in the second ODI. However, after a light drizzle, the match finally got underway with a stipulated 43 overs a side. In overcast conditions and a damp looking pitch which offered some bounce, Jason Holder decided to field first.
India began slowly but then the duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane took the attack to the Windies bowlers and scored 63 in the first ten overs. The openers after settling down milked the bowlers to all parts of the ground and also brought up their century partnership. However, Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed for 63. But skipper Kohli continued the good work of the openers and together with Rahane continued the onslaught.
Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, made full use of the opportunity giving to him and brought up his third ODI hundred. In his innings of 103, Rahane hit ten fours and two sixes. He cut, drove and pulled with panache and made the Windies bowlers look bereft of ideas. Skipper Kohli too hit a quickfire 87 of 66 deliveries which propelled the Indian total beyond 300.
The bowling line-up of the hosts looked completely lacklustre as their inexperience came into play. The Indian batters also took full advantage of the listless attack and pounded the bowlers. Most of the bowlers except Ashley Nurse went had a run rate above six runs per over. Alzarri Joseph was the most expensive bowler. Another dishearting aspect of the bowling was the number of extras bowled. Incidentally, skipper Jason Holder was taken out of the attack for bowling beamers. At the end of 43 overs, India put up a mammoth 310 runs which the inexperienced unit of the hosts will have a tough time chasing.
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