Port of Spain, Trinidad – Indian cricket fans had much to celebrate as Rohit Sharma‘s brilliant century powered India to a commanding victory against the West Indies in the second ODI at the Queen’s Park Oval. Sharma’s knock of 124 off 108 balls was the cornerstone of India’s 298/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Indian openers, Sharma and Shubman Gill, provided a solid start with a 104-run partnership. Gill, playing with his usual elegance, contributed a steady 54 before being dismissed by Jason Holder. Virat Kohli joined Sharma and the duo continued to dominate the West Indian bowlers.
Kohli’s departure for 45, caught behind off Alzarri Joseph, slowed the scoring rate momentarily. However, Sharma found able partners in Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya, ensuring India reached a competitive total. Sharma’s innings, laced with 15 fours and two sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression and precise shot selection.
In response, the West Indies faced early setbacks with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah striking in quick succession. Shai Hope’s valiant 78 kept the hosts’ hopes alive, but regular wickets pegged them back. The Indian spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal, tightened the screws in the middle overs, making it difficult for the West Indian batsmen to accelerate.
Nicholas Pooran’s cameo of 36 and a late surge from Romario Shepherd (41*) added respectability to the score, but the hosts fell short, managing 257/9 in their 50 overs. Shami, with figures of 3/42, was the pick of the bowlers, while Bumrah and Jadeja chipped in with two wickets each.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Sharma credited the team’s collective effort for the win. “It was important to get a good start and build partnerships. The bowlers did a fantastic job in keeping the pressure on,” he said.
With this victory, India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final ODI is scheduled for July 5th, where the Men in Blue will be aiming for a clean sweep.
This win also serves as a confidence booster ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup later this year. India’s comprehensive performance in all departments of the game signals their readiness to tackle the challenges ahead in the cricketing calendar.
About Rohit Sharma’s
Rohit Sharma is a prominent Indian cricketer and the captain of the Indian national team in limited-overs formats. Known for his elegant batting style and ability to score big runs, Sharma is considered one of the best openers in modern cricket. Here are some key highlights of his career:
Career Highlights
- Debut: Rohit made his debut for India in an ODI against Ireland on June 23, 2007.
- Test Cricket: He debuted in Test cricket against the West Indies in November 2013, scoring centuries in his first two Test matches.
- ODI Records: Rohit holds the record for the highest individual score in a One Day International (ODI) match, scoring 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014.
- Double Centuries: He is the only player to have scored three double centuries in ODIs.
- IPL Success: Rohit is also a successful captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having led the Mumbai Indians to multiple titles.
Achievements
- ICC Awards: Rohit has received several ICC awards, including the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year.
- World Cup Performances: He was the highest run-scorer in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, with five centuries in the tournament.
Leadership
Rohit Sharma’s leadership has been instrumental in India’s success in limited-overs cricket. Under his captaincy, the Indian team has won numerous bilateral series and performed well in ICC tournaments.
Personal Life
Born on April 30, 1987, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Rohit is married to Ritika Sajdeh, and they have a daughter named Samaira.
Rohit’s journey from a young cricketer to an international star is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport.