India wins comfortably

After Kohli’s century, Samuels’ fighting knock thrills the crowd

October 17, 2014 02:26 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 07:12 pm IST - Dharamsala

Virat Kohali (127) celebrates his century during the fourth ODI against West Indies at HPCA stadium in Dharamsala on Friday. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

Virat Kohali (127) celebrates his century during the fourth ODI against West Indies at HPCA stadium in Dharamsala on Friday. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

A match that looked headed for a one-sided finish came to life as Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell waded into the Indian attack in the later part of the innings. However, it was not enough to deny India a comfortable win in the fourth ODI here on Friday. India won by 59 runs despite a fighting century by Samuels.

This after the visiting team almost did not play. And Dwayne Bravo and his men’s lack of interest was far too apparent as they bowled awfully and then put up a tardy batting show until the Samuels-Russell show. After losing at Kochi and winning at Delhi, India is 2-1 up. Virat Kohli, slammed and criticised by one and all for his recent decline in form, made the most of the situation by cracking his 20th ODI hundred. Suresh Raina continued to torment the opposition — this time with a strokeful knock — but Kohli’s 127 was a veritable treat for his loyal supporters.

Bowling lacks sting

The lack of sting in the West Indian bowling was a sign of the players just going through the motions. They sprayed the ball, pitched it short, and then too short, to concede runs in a cascade. For an international attack, the West Indians were an embarrassment. Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn earned respect but not the rest.

As promised by curator Sunil Chauhan, the pitch had good “bounce and carry.” The Indians loved it, especially Kohli and Raina in the later stages after Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan launched the run-feast with a flurry of shots, mostly square of the wicket.

With the bowlers obliging and the batsmen in a mood to party, it was entertainment for the audience, even if contrived by the West Indians, who were not too keen to fight.

Dhawan clubbed the bowlers around, picking the ball early. He is adept in this art, especially when he is able to time his shots. Rahane matched him initially before dominating with some craftily executed strokes that highlighted his art.

Delicate placements

A batsman for the future in all forms of the game, Rahane revelled with his delicate placements. If Dhawan came hard on the bowlers with a few cross-batted swipes, Rahane stayed composed, giving little respite to the bowlers when they erred in length. Kohli played as is his wont. He had reacted sharply on the eve of the match, not hiding his displeasure at some of the taunts he had received from unexpected quarters, revealing how he felt let down by people who changed 360 degrees following his failure in England.

They shall change 360 degrees overnight now. His century had the promise of a batsman who had come to terms with the temporary decline of his batting prowess.

A class sportsman can’t be shackled for long and Kohli signified it in style, his demonstration a huge relief to the team management. Not that he had any detractors in the dressing room but he had to silence many in public.

He found the space and the confidence that he had been looking for. His desperation ended on a lovely afternoon at the HPCA Stadium here in what was a sterling march to his 20th century in his 133rd innings, the fastest in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar took 64 innings more and the great Sanath Jayasuriya took 350 innings.

Amidst the turmoil that preceded the hosting of the match and the subsequent happenings on the field came a pleasant act by Axar Patel. He earned his wicket off the eighth ball of his career, an encouraging start for the talented Gujarat left-arm spinner — one of the few bright spots in this farcical encounter.

Sri Lanka steps in

In a move aimed at giving the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) a strong message, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to play a five-match ODI series. The dates and venues would be announced soon, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Friday.

The decision was arrived at within hours of the West Indies announcing its pull-out from the remaining part of the series. Sri Lanka and England were the only teams available to replace the West Indies.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed a five-match ODI series to be played from November 1, 2014. The series promises to be an exciting one,” said the Board secretary Sanjay Patel.

The Board, added Patel, “wishes to thank SLC for its swift response and for extending support to ensure that the international cricket season is not curtailed.”

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