Krishna fires India to unassailable ODI series lead over West Indies
Prasidh Krishna returned impressive figures of 4-12 to guide India to a 44-run victory over the West Indies and gain an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series on Wednesday.
The hosts struggled for fluency in their 50 overs, reaching 237-9 after 64 from Suryakumar Yadav and 49 from KL Rahul on a two-paced Ahmedabad track.
However, the West Indies never looked comfortable in pursuing the total as they slipped to 76-5 after 22 overs, leaving an improbable chase that Krishna's brilliance ended with four overs to spare.
Rohit Sharma's side tasted victory in the opening fixture on Sunday, meaning they have already secured the series victory with one match left to play.
Sharma (five) and Rishabh Pant (18) failed to provide early impetus on a slow wicket, while Virat Kohli (18) struggled in similar fashion as India slumped to 43-3 from 12 overs.
But Rahul injected energy into the innings with his 49 from 48 balls before being run out, though Yadav continued in a positive manner until his dismissal by Fabian Allen (1-50).
Some more middle-order battle from Washington Sundar (24) and Deepak Hooda (29) ensured India finished with a respectable total, but West Indies may feel they should have come closer in their chase.
The tourists were hampered by three early Krishna wickets in their response, with Shamarh Brooks (44) and Akeal Hosein (34) the only West Indies batters to get to grips with the surface.
However, once Brooks and Hosein fell to Hooda and Shardul Thakur respectively, Nicholas Pooran's side rarely looked like making a contest of the game, with Krishna dismissing Kemar Roach lbw to seal victory with 24 balls to spare.
twitter:1491447223527555074King Krishna
It is hard to ignore the influence of Krishna on this game, given he provided the early charge on the West Indies batters before completing the series victory in a dominant manner.
The 25-year-old only went for 12 runs from his nine overs, at an impressive economy of 1.33 ? no other Indian bowler returned an economy of under four.
Hope-less
Shai Hope offered some brief resistance at the top of the order with his 27 off 54 balls, but an earlier drop significantly hampered West Indies' hopes of victory.
The wicketkeeper had the chance to reduce India to 64-4 but shelled a regulation chance off Rahul, who was on just four. The Indian batter capitalised on that chance, accelerating from 7 off 23 to his 48-ball 49.
Source : https://sportlive.appContact : support@sportlive.app
