Twitter Reactions: Rohit Sharma, Rahul and bowlers hand India series levelling win in Vizag

India were guilty of not getting off to a good start in Chennai. They were also guilty of the set the batsmen not converting starts. They are also guilty of not bowling in the right areas and not holding on to their catches. The Men in Blue were up to the mark in all the aforementioned facets in Vizag (apart from Deepak Chahar dropping Pooran) which resulted in a 107-run victory and the series is set for a decider now just like it happened in the T20Is.

After losing the toss again, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul this time made sure that they didn’t give their wickets away on a batting paradise. The duo took its time early on and then the latter was the first one to accelerate. At the same time, Rohit played the second fiddle and took off just at the right time. The partnership was the perfect example of blending caution with aggression.

They also played a few gorgeous which left the crowd in awe and also went on to add 227 runs for the opening wicket in just 35 overs. Rahul got out soon after getting to his ton even as his unique celebration was the talking point for a while. Rohit Sharma blossomed even after getting to his 28th ODI ton and just toyed with the Caribbean bowling attack scoring 159 runs.

He also became the first-ever batsman to score 10 international centuries in a calendar year. However, one felt that the Hitman missed out on his fourth double-century the way he batting. Amidst the carnage, Virat Kohli, for all the hype before this match about his average at the venue, got out for a golden duck and was dismissed by his counterpart Kieron Pollard.

But that didn’t stop the run flow. Rishabh Pant just expressed himself freely on the day smashing 39 off just 16 balls and at one stage, was on the brink of breaking the world record of the fastest ODI fifty. Shreyas Iyer took a cue from the southpaw and literally thrashed Roston Chase in the 47th over by scoring 31 runs with four sixes and a four. He scored 53 runs before getting out and propelled India to 387/5 after 50 overs.

Pooran and Hope fight but India prevail thanks to Shami and Kuldeep

One team which has the ability to chase down 388 is the West Indies with the kind of sixes they hit. And they made the hosts fret over it at one stage. Shai Hope was once again at his best anchoring the innings at a better strike-rate. But Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase got out without contributing much to leave the team reeling at 86/3 after 16 overs and it seemed as if the visitors would implode under pressure.

Then came Nicolas Pooran and suddenly there was life to the game. The left-hander took his time and at one stage, was at five off 12 deliveries. However, once he shifted gears, there was looking back. Hope also joined in the fun and they turned the heat on India. The duo added 106 runs for the fourth wicket in just 13.2 overs and when the score was 192/3 in the 30th over, the Caribbeans were serious about the chase.

However, as it has been this year more often, Mohammed Shami came to save the day for his team. He bowled a well-targeted bouncer to Pooran and the batsman took it on and went for the pull shot. And the catch was safely taken by Kuldeep Yadav at long leg. This triggered a sensational collapse as they were reduced to 210/8 in next 22 deliveries.

Shami struck off the very next ball to send back the West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard for a golden duck and what followed next was absolute gold. Kuldeep Yadav picked a hat-trick and became the first Indian ever to achieve the twice in international cricket. The chinaman unfurled his variations to send back Shai Hope (78), Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph off consecutive deliveries.

The result was out of the question since then and even though Keemo Paul smashed an entertaining 46, West Indies were never going to get to the target. They were bundled out for 280 in the 44th over of the innings as India managed to take the series into the decider which will be played on December 22.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: