India vs WI: Prasidh Krishna’s 2nd four-for take India to a thumping victory

On Wednesday, February 9, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India faced the Caribbean team in the second ODI of the three-match series.

India vs WI 2nd ODI

The hosts had the visitors’ backs against the wall, especially owing to skipper Rohit Sharma’s phenomenal 60 and Suryakumar Yadav’s 34*, who had already won the first ODI by 6 wickets and taken the series lead. And on Wednesday, the Men in Blue took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, winning the second ODI by 44 runs.

 

Although he failed to contribute as a batter, Rohit’s captaincy was a joy to watch, as he mixed the bowlers superbly and led India to victory in their maiden ODI series as a full-time captain, despite batting first on a chase friendly pitch.

 

Even though the West Indies team won the toss, and Nicholas Pooran, who was given the opportunity to lead the team for the first time, chose to field first, the stars refused to align well for the hosts as they failed to gain control of the match despite their choice.

 

India skipper Rohit Sharma experimented with a new left-right opening combination, promoting wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to the opening position alongside himself, instead of choosing Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul for the task. However, the opening pair couldn’t stitch up a promising run-stand for the opening pair as Rohit Sharma perished just for five runs.

 

West Indies spinners didn’t let it be a smooth as butter experience for the Indian batters as Kemar Roach, who sprayed the ball about in the first ODI, tightened up in the second, making use of the available crease and seam movement. In his second over, he got a lot of extra bounce and removed Rohit. Smith then went on to dismiss both Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli in the same over.

 

KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav then put up a 91-run fourth-wicket stand to help India reach a defendable total of 237 runs. Yadav struck his second ODI fifty, smashing 64 runs.

 

West Indies openers Shai Hope and Brandon King got the team off to a good start, chasing a modest goal of 238 runs. Off Thakur and Siraj, Brandon King and Shai Hope smashed four boundaries in six balls to move them to 31 for 0 in seven overs. In the next over, Prasidh entered the fray and struck with his third delivery, gaining additional bounce to dismiss King for 18 from 20 balls.

 

The visitors were stymied by the Indian bowling assault, losing two wickets at the conclusion of the powerplay for a total of 39/2.

 

Prasidh Krishna was the standout performer for India, taking 4 for 12 in nine overs. Prasidh dug the ball into the Ahmedabad track, which gave extra bounce and zip throughout the game, and discomfited the West Indies line-up.

 

With a 42-run partnership, Akeal Hosein and Fabian Allen rallied India temporarily, and Odean Smith gave India a fright at the finish before Prasidh sealed the deal with a wicket-maiden. West Indies were bowled out for 193 in 46 overs, losing their 11th ODI series in a row to India.

 

India vs WI 2nd ODI Brief Scores: India 237 for 9 (Suryakumar Yadav 64, KL Rahul 49*; Alzarri Joseph 2/36, Odean Smith 2/29) beat West Indies 193 all-out (Sharmarh Brooks 44, Akeal Hosein 34; Prasidh Krishna 4/12, Shardul Thakur 2/41) by 44 runs