In a thrilling encounter at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, India showcased their prowess in both fielding and bowling to secure a convincing five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI.
The match was marked by Virat Kohli’s breathtaking catch to dismiss Romario Shepherd and Kuldeep Yadav’s exceptional bowling display.
Having won the toss, the West Indies opted to bat first but found themselves struggling at 96/5 in the 18th over, thanks to some disciplined bowling by the Indian side. Romario Shepherd’s arrival at the crease was anticipated as he aimed to steady the sinking ship.
However, Jadeja’s deceptive delivery proved too much for him, and he edged the ball to the second slip, where Virat Kohli displayed incredible reflexes, diving low to his right to complete a remarkable catch.
WATCH: Virat Kohli’s amazing catch in second slip
The West Indies’ batting woes continued, and they were bundled out for a meager 114 runs in just 23 overs. India’s bowlers, especially Kuldeep Yadav, were on fire, as he scalped four wickets, conceding a mere six runs in his three-over spell. Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with three crucial wickets, as the West Indies collapsed from 88/3 to being all out.
Chasing a modest target, India faced some early hiccups in their batting innings. Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made the surprise decision to send the lower-order batsmen ahead, giving them valuable exposure in the middle. Ishan Kishan was the standout performer, scoring a well-crafted half-century, but the rest of the Indian batting line-up struggled to build partnerships.
At the 17.2 overs mark, India found themselves at 97/5, and it was finally time for Rohit Sharma to take the crease at No. 7. With Kuldeep Yadav’s remarkable bowling performance fresh in their minds, the Indian fans had their hearts pounding with anticipation. However, it was Virat Kohli who guided the team to victory with a calm and composed approach, remaining padded up while Rohit Sharma struck the winning runs.
In the end, India emerged victorious, showcasing their dominance in both bowling and fielding departments. While Kuldeep Yadav’s mesmerizing figures stole the show, Virat Kohli’s spectacular catch added an element of magic to the game. With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, setting the stage for an enthralling contest in the upcoming matches.