New Delhi: Indian bowlers, led by pacer Mohammed Shami, came back strongly from the hammering they received from the West Indies batsmen in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Kochi to turn the match here Saturday around for the home side and help them win by 48 runs to level the five-match series 1-1. Chasing a 264-run target, West Indies were cruising at one stage as they were 170 for two in the 36th over before their innings fell apart on a sluggish Ferozshah Kotla track. India defended the total despite West Indies’ early domination as opener Dwayne Smith hit a career-best 97. However, once Smith was dismissed Indian bowlers called the shots, causing a batting collapse. From a comfortable 170 for two, the Caribbean side lost their last eight wickets for just 45 runs to be all out for 215 in 46.3 overs. Mohammed Shami (4/36) recorded his career-best figures while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (3/44) and leg-spinner Amit Mishra (2/40) snared five wickets between them as the inept technique of the Caribbeans against spinning deliveries was exposed thoroughly.
Electing to bat, India had posted a competitive 263 for seven as Suresh Raina hit a sparkling 62 while Virat Kohli (62) returned to form with his first half-century in eight months. Raina carried his splendid T20 form into the match and Kohli regained his lost touch partly at his home ground as the two batsmen added 105 runs for the fourth wicket after a sedate start by India. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni contributed in India’s total with his unbeaten 51 off 40 balls while Ambati Rayudu scored 32, batting at number three, a place where Kohli usually bats. In his trademark style, Dhoni hit a six and a four off paceman Jerome Taylor to complete his 56th half-century in the last over of the innings. West Indies opener Smith missed out on his maiden ODI century by just three runs and his dismissal in the 36th over changed the complexion of the match. The two teams will now travel to Visakhapatnam for the third ODI on Tuesday.
The West Indies looked like taking it away from the hosts as the two openers – Smith and Darren Bravo -- settled nicely after getting a measure of the pitch and the bowlers. They easily took the team to a comfortable 64 in 13 overs without loss. Shami brought relief for India when the first ball of the 14th over slightly brushed the stump, took the bail off, and Bravo was forced to start his walk back to pavilion. The left-hander took 44 balls for his 26 but his stand with Smith gave West Indies an ideal start. The Windies openers did not exactly set the stage on fire but hardly gave anything to India. The match was on ever keel as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and spinners toiled hard initially. They did not leak many runs but did not get wickets either. Getting quick runs was tough on the Kotla pitch but Kieron Pollard did not hesitate to swing his arms. The burly batsman clobbered a six off Yadav and also hit Bhuvneshwar for a four, causing anxiety in the rival camp.
