India wins its 1,000th ODI with 22 overs left v West Indies

Agencies | Ahmedabad

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

India celebrated its 1,000th one-day international with a crushing six-wicket win over West Indies with 22 overs to spare on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma scored 60 in his first outing as India’s full-time ODI captain. His side easily chased down West Indies’ total of 176 in the first one-day international.

India finished on 178-4 in only 28 overs — with 132 balls remaining — to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. West Indies was all out in 43.5 overs, reports AP

India became the first team to achieve the 1,000 mark with its first ODI against England in 1974 at Headingley.

The historic game Sunday marked the beginning of a new chapter for India as Sharma takes over from Virat Kohli as captain in the white-ball formats.

Yuzvendra Chahal took 4-49 and Washington Sundar 3-30 after India won the toss and opted to bowl.

At 45-3 in 12 overs, the visitors never really got going. Mohammed Siraj (1-26) provided the initial breakthrough by removing Shai Hope (8) early. Sundar sent back Brandon King (13) and Darren Bravo (18) with West Indies struggling for partnerships as India pressed home its advantage.

Chahal struck a triple blow in the middle overs as West Indies was reduced to 78-6 in 21.5 overs. Nicholas Pooran (18) was trapped leg before wicket, while Pollard (0) didn’t even trouble the scorers. Chahal took his third wicket in nine balls as Shamarh Brooks (12) was caught behind.

Jason Holder (57) scored an anchoring half-century as West Indies escaped embarrassment. He added 78 runs for the eighth wicket with Fabian Allen (29).

In reply, India was never in bother. Openers Sharma and Ishan Kishan (28) put on 84 runs off only 79 balls. Sharma hit 10 fours and a six in his 51-ball innings, scoring his 44th ODI half-century.

Alzarri Joseph (2-45) dismissed Kohli (8), who had played uncharacteristic shots to four successive short balls and was caught at fine leg.

Rishabh Pant (11) was run out after Kishan threw away his start and holed out. India was at 116-4 in 17.3 overs.