India found two match-winners – one with the ball and the other with the willow - on a Wednesday of rain-interruptions.
After leg-spinner Amit Mishra's deadly strikes ambushed the West Indies just when the host seemed poised for the final onslaught, Virat Kohli's focus and bat-speed gave India a 2-0 lead in the five-match Digicel ODI series.
Pursuing a revised target of 187 in 37 overs, India romped home by seven wickets at the Queen's Park Oval here on Wednesday. Originally chasing 241 in 50, Suresh Raina's men were 100 for one in 22 overs when rain held up play for 85 minutes. When the contest resumed, India needed 83 more runs in 15 overs. It proved a waltz in the park.
Man of the Match Kohli made 81 in a knock that was both enterprising and responsible. There was a worthy contribution too from Parthiv Patel (56) – the opener added 120 runs for the second wicket with Kohli – before Raina's scintillating stroke-play ensured India's dominant victory.
Lacking spirit and cohesion on the field, the West Indies did not seize on the rare chances. The side also allowed crucial moments to fly away.
Parthiv survived on 44 when Dwayne Bravo, running in from long-on and then diving forward, failed to hold on to the ball. Leg-spinner Anthony Martin, the bowler, looked into the skies in anguish.
Parthiv celebrated the reprieve by wristing Martin for a rousing six over mid-wicket. The leg-spinner eventually dismissed Parthiv who attempted to turn a quicker delivery on the leg-side. Keeper Carlton Baugh was smart behind the stumps; Parthiv might have got a nick.
A right-left pair continued to torment the West Indies bowling with skipper Raina joining Kohli. Batting with increasing confidence, Raina did not take long before imposing himself on the contest.
The southpaw slog-swept Martin for the maximum and then swung the leg-spinner to the fence. Kohli joined in. Pollard, no more than ordinary with his medium pace, landed one short and was blasted over mid-wicket.
Kohli's bat-speed is his strength. He picked the length quickly and pulled leg-spinner Dvendra Bishoo. Then, the spunky batsman dismissed the leg-spinner over his head for a glorious six.
Moments later, Kohli was held at long-off off Bishoo. The dismissal did not matter. Raina (26 not out) and Rohit Sharma duly closed out the game.
The Indians oozed confidence as they began the chase. The target was gettable on a surface better suited for stroke-play than the pitch for the first ODI. The ball was turning but it was also coming on to the bat.
Paceman Ravi Rampaul struck early with a delivery lacking in length and direction. Shikhar Dhawan could not keep an awkward steer down and was picked up square off the wicket. The dismissal must have encouraged Rampaul to persist with his methods. He continued to bang it in short but was cut and pulled by both Parthiv and Kohli.
Parhiv's batting has improved. The left-hander is playing closer to his body with his willow coming down straighter. When seamer Darren Sammy pitched it up, Parthiv responded with a searing straight drive.
Kohli would have been disappointed with his dismissal - pursuing a widish delivery from Rampaul - in the first ODI. On this occasion, he applied himself better even while staying positive. He is a busy batsman who works the ball into the gaps and runs hard. Kohli is the kind of customer who passes on his sense of urgency to his partner as well.
He picks his moments to thump the ball. Sammy was crashed through covers. Kohli was, however, fortunate on 38 when Sammy, at slip, was slow to react when he attempted to cut Bishoo. Kohli duly reached his 2000th ODI runs in his 56th match.
Soon, the rain arrived and the dynamics of the contest changed. India found the right answers.
