Powered by skipper Virender Sehwag’s world record knock of 219 runs, India posted mammoth 418/5 runs total on board against West Indies in the 4th ODI here at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Thursday.
Ind vs WI 4th ODI: Live commentary
Sehwag’s blitzkrieg innings was studded with 25 boundaries and 7 sixes. He became the highest run scorer in ODIs. Sehwag also equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record to score double hundred in ODIs. Sehwag also completed 8000 runs in ODI.
Electing to bat, Indian openers Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir provided flying start to the home side. However, Gambhir got run out for 67 soon after Sehwag completed 15th ODI century in just 69 balls.
Later, Raina joined the skipper in middle and ended the drought of runs. He scored 55 runs before getting run out.
It was Pollard, who finally sent pack Sehwag for 219 runs.
After Sehwag, Rohit Sharma added few quick runs along with Kohli but he was bowled out by Kemar Roach for 27.
At the End, Kohli and Partiv Patel took India to their highest ODI taotal of 418/5. Earlier, India scored 414/7 against Sri Lanka at Rajkot in December 2009.
For West Indies, Roach, Andre Russel and Pollard took one wicket each.
Earlier, Indian skipper Virender Sehwag won the toss and elected to bat against West Indies in the 4th ODI here at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Thursday. It was fourth toss win for Sehwag in the series.
As it was expected, Irfan Pathn failed to find the place in the playing XI. However, Rahul Sharma has been making ODI debut. He replaced Umesh Yadav.
On the other hand, West Indies have also made one change in the side. K Pollard in for injured bravo.
Teams:
Ind: Virender Sehwag, Parthiv Patel, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, R Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, Rahul Sharma.
WI: L Simmons, K Powell, DP Hyatt, Marlon Samuels, KA Pollard, D Ramdin, Aandre Russell, Darren Sammy, Keamr Roach, Ravi Rampaul, SP Narine
Match Preview:
After going down in the third ODI at Ahmedabad, Indian skipper Virender Sehwag has been looking to finish the job in Indore, rather than taking the series to Chennai in last ODI.
Sehwag hopes knockout punch in the fourth ODI at Holkar Stadium to seal the series. However, West Indies side are determined to level the series in Indore to take play the series decided in Chennai.
Visitors have bounced back in the third ODI with 16 runs victory over India. A united Caribbean side has given tough competition to World Champions in the series so far. Indian bowlers have failed to bowl out West Indies in the series. After good show in opening spells, Indian bowlers leaked plenty of runs in the death overs.
Howevre, Irfan Pathan’s return in the side will provide some experience in the bowling department. India played last three ODIs with inexperienced bowling attack. The Baroda seamer has been making comeback after long interval and he will be proved handy to check the run-flow in last overs. Pathan’s availability to bat will give depth in batting down the order.
But Pathan will be under tremendous pressure as remaining two ODIs will decide his future in the team.
Though, the biggest concern for Team Indian and team management is failure of top order. Especially, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir’s poor show with the bat was key reason behind Ahmedabad defeat. Suresh Raina is also not in good knick. Indian top order will have to fire with full cylinder ahead of the Australia tour.
Middle order batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have done well in the series but they need support from the top orders to finish the game.
As far as Indore ground is concerned, it is one of the favourite tracks for India. In the last four ODIS at the Holkar Stadium, India didn’t face defeat here. This is an advantage for home side to seal the series.
