Virat Kohli’s Lean Patch Continues, But Team India Sweep ODI Series 3-0

Ahmedabad: Virat Kohli’s lean patch continued, but that didn’t deter Team India from completing a 3-0 sweep of their ODI series against the West Indies on Friday.

The home team posted 265 off 50 overs on a pitch which assisted bowlers. Indian pacers then dismissed the West Indies for 169 to set up a 96-run victory. Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bagged three wickets each, while Deepak Chahar and chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav picked up two apiece.

India were rocked early as Alzarri Joseph dismissed Rohit Sharma (13) and Virat Kohli (0) in the same over. Shikhar Dhawan didn’t last long either, leaving India at 42 for 3.

Kohli, no longer the captain in any format, wants to focus on his batting. But big scores from his remained elusive as he finished the series with a meagre 26 runs in three games. It was his second lowest tally in a three-ODI series – after his 13-run aggregate in three matches against Pakistan in 2012-13.

The Indian innings was revived by Shreyas Iyer (80) and Rishabh Pant (56), who added 110 runs. Handy contributions from allrounders Deepak Chahar (38) and Washington Sundar (33) helped India reach 265.

The three-match T20 International series will be played at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens from February 16.

Scores: India 265 in 50 overs. West Indies 169 in 37.1 overs.

Match result: India won by 96 runs.

Series result: India won 3-0.