India won the toss and elected to field first in the 1st ODI against West Indies. The visitors got off to a rapid start courtesy Kieran Powell. Powell raced past 50, but then India hit back with two quick strikes in the second powerplay.
Shimron Hetmyer scored a brilliant 106 runs of 78 balls. Captain Jason Holder scored 38 of 42 deliveries. Kieran Powell and Marlon Samuels contributed 65 for the second wicket. Shai Hope and Rovman Powell made a partnership of 74 runs for the 5th wicket.
Yuzuvendra Chahal took 3 wickets for 41 runs with an economy of 4.1 runs. Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadega took 2 wickets each.
The west Indies finished the first innings at 322 for the loss of eight wickets.
This series is always going to be the final round of preparation for next year's showpiece event hoping to fix whatever anomalies there may be. The two play the first of the five ODIs at the Bhupen Hazarika Stadium on Sunday. According to skipper Virat Kohli, things are hunky dory with just the No. 4 batting spot a point of bother. Perhaps an equal cause of worry is the lack of a strong finisher.
(Featured image: India.com)
