Samuels ton earns win for West Indies

Marlon Samuels’ 126 not out helped the West Indies to a well deserved victory against India in the first ODI in Kochi on Wednesday.

India won the toss and put the visitors into bat in the first game of the five match series. The opening pair of Dwayne Bravo and Dwayne Smith got the West Indies off to a brisk start before Ravindra Jadeja clean bowled Smith.

After the Bravo’s were sent back to the hut by Mohammed Shami and Amit Mishra, Denesh Ramdin joined Samuels at the crease when the West Indies were on 120 for three. The duo took the game away from the Indian attack, putting on an impressive 165 run partnership with Mishra’s legbreaks copping most of the punishment.

The partnership took the innings deep into the 45th over before Ramdin was dismissed for 61. The stage was set for the big-hitting Kieron Pollard to do what he does best, but it wasn’t to be as he was bowled by Shami for just two. Andre Russell would also go out cheaply but Samuels pushed on smartly to guide his side well past the 300 mark.

His 126 not out would come off just 116 balls and consist of 11 fours and four sixes, helping the West Indies to a formidable 321/6 after their 50 overs.

The Indian innings got off to a solid start with Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan adding 49 runs for the first wicket until a miscommunication between them lead to both batsmen being at the same end, resulting in Rahane being run-out.

Virat Kholi would follow in the next over when he edged a Jerome Taylor delivery to first slip. The slide continued as Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina both fell within three balls of each other, leaving the home side teetering on 83/4 with a steadily increasing required run-rate.

Captain MS Dhoni tried to steady the ship but would fall for just eight runs from 21 balls as the the West Indies moved closer to a win. A defiant Jajeda would amass a quick fire 33 but Ravi Rampaul would wrap up the tail and indeed the match for the visitors.