India posted a fighting total of 268/7 against West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup match in Manchester on Thursday. Indian skipper Virat Kohli and wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni’s 72 and 56* run innings respectively guided India to a competitive total. During the match, Kohli became the fastest batsman to reach 20,000 international runs.
After winning the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli opted to bat first under sunny Manchester skies. The two-time champions, fielded an unchanged side after their narrow victory against Afghanistan. West Indies made two changes to their starting line-up after their heartbreaking five-run defeat to New Zealand. India started steadily as Windies bowlers maintained good line and length. Their good bowling paid dividends early as pacer Kemar Roach removed man in form Rohit Sharma (18), leaving India at 29/1 after 7 overs. Sharma was caught behind off a delivery that pitched on a good length and jagged back sharply into the right-handed batsman. The on-field umpire gave him not out but the West Indies successfully reviewed the decision, with technology appearing to indicate a spike in sound as the ball squeezed through the gap between bat and pad.
All eyes were then on skipper, who was just 37 runs shy of reaching 20,000 international runs milestone, before coming onto bat. Kohli tried to build an alliance with his partner Rahul. However, Rahul’s stumps were rattled by Windies skipper Holder and India lost another wicket before crossing the 100-run mark. Then Kohli finally scored 37 during 24.4 over of the match. In just his 417th international innings, he beats both Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara (453 each) to that mark. Roach came roaring in during his second spell to have Vijay Shankar caught behind for 14 and then sent back Kedar Jadhav (7) with a delivery that pitched and straightened, leaving India at 140/4 after 28.5 overs.
Amid falling of wickets Kohli was batting fluently and got his 55-ball 50. Dhoni then joined him, with both trying to rebuild India’s innings. However, after having a 40-run partnership, Kohli departed in Holder’s delivery. Before getting out, Kohli played 82-ball 72 run innings with 8 fours. India crossed the 200-run mark during 42nd over, with Dhoni and Hardik Pandya at the crease, trying to finish on a high for their team. Together they added 70 runs in 60 balls, before Pandya (46) departed in the 48th over. In the end Dhoni was unbeaten at 56. His 61-ball 56 included 3 fours and 2 maximums. Roach was the peak of Windies bowlers as he scalped 3 wickets.
