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Regular-article-logo Wednesday, 16 July 2025

The Marlon Samuels showIndian batsmen come a cropper against disciplined WI attack

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(AGENCIES) Published 09.10.14, 12:00 AM
Andre Russell celebrates the wicket of Ambati Rayudu, at Kochi, on Wednesday

Kochi: West Indies put behind an acrimonious pay dispute with their Board to beat India by 124 runs in the first one-dayer of the five-match series here Wednesday.

The Caribbeans rode Marlon Samuels’ 126 not out to post 321 for six and then shot out the Indians for 197 in 41 overs in a rather one-sided contest at the Nehru Stadium.

India paid the price for some mediocre bowling and shoddy batting as they were outplayed in all departments of the game.

The Indian bowlers gave away too many runs to allow the visitors pile up a big total after being put into bat and then the much-vaunted home batsmen, except for Shikhar Dhawan (68), failed to fire on a batting-friendly pitch.

Poor shot selection led to the dismissal of most of the Indian batsmen and they could not stitch together any substantial partnership in the face of some tight bowling. The 49-run opening partnership in 8.4 overs was the highest in the innings. While Rahane made 24, Dhawan’s scratchy 68 came off 92 balls with the help of nine fours.

Ravindra Jadeja (33 not out) was the other Indian batsman who scored more than 20 runs.

West Indies, even without their mystery spinner Sunil Narine, could tie down the top Indian batsmen who failed to fire when required.

Chasing a target of 322, India could not get off to a good start as Rahane was run out in a bizarre mix-up in the ninth over.

Rahane tapped the ball off Ravi Rampaul between short fine leg and square leg and after taking the first run quickly, wanted a second. But Dhawan went back after going for it and both ended up at the keeper’s end with Rahane having to depart for the dressing room.

Virat Kohli (2) continued his struggle with the bat and could not do much. He was dismissed after facing just five balls. Kohli defended a Jerome Taylor delivery which held its line off the backfoot with an angled bat and the outside edge flew to Darren Sammy at slip for a low catch.

Ambati Rayudu (13) looked like he would settle down for a partnership with Dhawan but lasted just six overs before he was out in the 16th over.

The home side’s chances of a victory was dealt a blow after in-form Suresh Raina was dismissed for a duck three balls later off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo.

Raina, who hit a match-winning unbeaten century for Chennai Super Kings in Champions League Twenty20 final a few days ago, got an inside edge which knocked off his bails.

India were still in with a chance till captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at the crease but it was not his day as he was bowled by Sammy for eight runs off 21 balls.

Runs dried up in the middle-overs with the West Indies bowlers spot on with their line and length. By the time Dhoni was out in the 26th over, the asking rate had gone up to over eight with half of the batting line-up cooling their heels in the dressing room.

Dhawan kept one end intact before he was out in the 29th over and after his departure it was as good as over for India.

For West Indies, Dwayne Bravo, Ravi Rampaul and Marlon Samuels grabbed two wickets apiece while Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy took a wicket each.

Earlier, Samuels signalled his return to ODI cricket with a brilliantly crafted unbeaten century as West Indies put up a commanding 321 for six.

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