India piled up a massive total of 330 for 6 in the 4th ODI at Dharamsala after they were asked to bat first by Dwayne Bravo. It has been a dramatic match so far at the HPCA Stadium not because of Virat Kohli’s century but for the West Indies’ decision of pulling out from the remainder of the India Tour! This fourth ODI at Dharamsala is therefore the last match of the tour! Fortunately for the BCCI and the Indian fans, it is confirmed that Sri Lanka would be filling up the void by playing a 5-match ODI Series between November 1-15.
Follow Live Ball by Ball Scores and Commentary of India vs West Indies, 4th ODI at Dharamsala here
The West Indies’ players looked disinterested right from the toss time and there was no real intent to put their best efforts on the field. Opening bowler Jerome Taylor was bowling at a friendly pace of 125 kmph or so and there was no Ravi Rampaul in the team the reason for that we can understand now. Instead of Rampaul, there was this tall Jason Holder who was at the best bowling at a lackluster pace of 125 kmph!
India got off to an excellent start of 70 in 11.3 overs before Shikhar Dhawan got out top edging a pull off Andre Russell for a run-a-ball 35. Ajinkya Rahane helped himself to 68 from 79 balls with 7 fours before he got out in the 27th over lbw trying to sweep a full ball from Sulieman Benn.
Virat Kohli who came in at no.3 eased to a 20th ODI century while Suresh Raina walked in at no.4 to blast the West Indian bowlers for as many as five sixes! Suresh Raina smashed 71 from just 58 balls. Virat Kohli was run out in the final ball of the innings having scored 126 from 114 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes. The rest of the batting line-up didn’t have much to do after the Raina-Kohli show.
Despite the carnage from Raina and Kohli, the focus was on the West Indian players who looked dejected and started dropping simple catches! Watching the West Indies on the field was an insult to everyone who was following the match and also a bad advertisement to international cricket.