Kohli, Rahul and Rohit Propel India to a Memorable Series Win

Chasing a target of 316, the three provide the impetus before Jadeja and Thakur take the Men in Blue past the finish line; Pooran and Pollard’s knocks go in vain

- Y.B. Sarangi

Virat Kohli proved yet again that he was the master of the chase as he joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja to help India chase down a daunting target of 316 with eight balls to spare in the third and final ODI against the West Indies at the Barabati Stadium here on Sunday. Though the captain — quite uncharacteristically — wasn’t there till the end, Jadeja took the Men in Blue past the finish line in the company of Shardul Thakur.

The thrilling victory took India to a 2-1 come-from-behind series win, its 10th successive one against the West Indies. Kohli’s men had lost the opening ODI in Chennai before bouncing back at Visakhapatnam.

Openers on the prowl

The Indian openers’ success story in 2019 continued with Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul forging a 122-run partnership and laying a strong foundation for the big pursuit.

Rohit, elegant as usual, made a 63-ball 63 with eight fours and a six — a hit that soared over midwicket — before being caught behind off Jason Holder. It was the Hitman’s sixth half-century of the year.