All-round India crush West Indies by 107 runs to level the series

India crushed West Indies by 107 runs in the 2^nd One day international to level the series at 1-1 played at ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vizag on Wednesday.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and decided to bowl first. KL Rahul began the innings on an aggressive note hitting bad balls away for boundaries and sixes. Rohit played with caution approach. At the end of 10 overs, Indian openers scored 55.

After the power play overs, Rahul and Rohit played with positive intent which put the West Indies bowlers under immense pressure. It was a good batting display by both Indian openers who looked in aggressive touch after settling on a brilliant pitch. Rahul reached his fifty off 46 balls while Rohit completed his fifty off 67 balls. Rohit showed his class after scoring 50 and put the West Indies bowlers under more pressure. The hitman was dropped by Hetymer and they had to pay for that drop.  It was just an amazing display of batting by both Indian openers. Rohit reached his 28^th century off 107 balls. On the other hand, Rahul completed his 3^rd century in ODI cricket off 102 balls. Alazzari Joseph provided West Indies the breakthrough dismissing Rahul for 102 off 104 balls . Rahul and Rohit added 227 runs in 37 overs which laid a strong foundation.

Virat Kohli had a rare failure as he was dismissed for 0 by Kieron Pollard. Rohit Sharma took the charge after the dismissal of Kohli. Shreyas Iyer came to the crease and gave full support. Rohit reached 8^th 150 plus score in ODI cricket off 132 balls. He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 159 off 138 balls. Rohit and Iyer added 60 runs for the 3^rd wicket. Pant came to the crease and just smashed Sheldon Cottrell for 24 runs in the 46^th over. In the 47^th over, Iyer smashed 31 runs off Roston Chase which helped the Indian team post a massive total. Pant was dismissed for a quick fire 39 off 16 balls. Pant and Iyer added 73 runs in 4 overs. Iyer reached his fifty too off 28 balls and got out in the 49^th over. Kedar Jadhav scored 16 off 10 balls and helped India post a massive total of 387 for 5 in 50 overs.

Chasing the massive target of 388 runs to win, Shai Hope was dropped off the very first ball by KL Rahul. Hope took the advantage of the chance with some brilliant strokes. Lewis also played some lovely shots. At the end of 10 overs, West Indies scored 56 for 0.

After the power play overs, Shardul Thakur provided the breakthrough for India dismissing Lewis for 30 with a good catch by Shreyas Iyer. Lewis and Hope added 61 runs. Shimron Hetymer was brilliantly run out for just 4 runs. Ravindra Jadeja got the wicket of Roston Chase to put West Indies team on the back-foot. Nicolas Pooran came to the crease and looked in positive touch taking on the Indian bowlers. Hope continued his superb form reaching his fifty off 59 balls. The explosive Nicolas Pooran completed his half-century off just 34 balls. As things looked dangerous for India, Mohammed Shami provided the breakthrough dismissing Pooran for 75 off 47 balls. Pooran and Hope added 106 runs for the 4^th wicket. Shami did the damage again by dismissing West Indies captain Kieron Pollard off the very first ball.

Kuldeep Yadav became the 1^st Indian to pick 2 hat-tricks in international cricket. He got wickets of Shai Hope, Jason Holder and Alazzari Joseph. Kuldeep also became the 6th bowler to take 2 or more hat-tricks in ODI cricket. Lasith Malinga has taken hat-tricks 3 times, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Trent Boult and Chaminda Vaas has picked 2 hat-tricks each. Keemo Paul and Khary Pierre enjoyed himself adding 50 runs for the 9^th wicket. Mohammed Shami ended the match by dismissing Paul with a brilliant Yorker to bowl out India for 280 in 43.3 overs.

India 387 for 5 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 159, KL Rahul 102, Shreyas Iyer 53, Sheldon Cottrell 2/83) beat West Indies 280 in 43.3 overs (Shai Hope 78, Nicolas Pooran 75, Mohammed Shami 3/39, Kuldeep Yadav 3/52) by 107 runs.

Rohit Sharma has been named the man of the match for his 159. The series is levelled at 1-1. The third and decided match will be played at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on 22^nd December.