Virat Kohli catch. (Pic source: Jio Cinema)
India’s fielding was top-notch in the first of the three ODIs against West Indies. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill were brilliant as Virat Kohli joined the party with a stunning one-hand catch to dismiss Romario Shepherd. Notably, the batter tried to drive Jadeja’s ball but nicked it for a low catch in the slips. Kohli dived to his right and managed to grab the ball at the second slip to pick up the sixth wicket.
Meanwhile, West Indies failed to put up a show with the bat. The Shai Hope-led side played poor cricket and failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup. They were expected to make a comeback against India at home but it was not to be. Shimrom Hetmyer too was brought back into the mix but the home team failed to make any sort of impact with the bat in Barbados.
What a catch by Virat Kohli.
– The GOAT in ODI.pic.twitter.com/ckq8PIpflS
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 27, 2023
Openers Brandon King (17) and Kyle Mayers (2) walked back to the pavilion rather cheaply while debutant Mukesh Kumar dismissed Alick Athanaze, who was looking good in the middle but failed to capitalise on his start. Skipper Hope, however, looked promising but no other batter supported him. The likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell too failed to make a mark as pressure kept on building on the home team.
Meanwhile, spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were excellent for India, picking seven wickets beween them to restrict West Indies to just 114 in 23 overs. Jadeja scalped three wickets in six overs for 37 runs while Yadav wrapped up the tail , picking four wickets for just six runs in three overs, with two maidens. Rohit Sharma has used all his six bowling options in the first innings, which a positive sign ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is slated to begin on October 5.