India could not get going with the bat after their skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first against West Indies in the 34th match of the World Cup at Old Trafford, Manchester. Men in Blue were able to post 268 runs after their batsmen struggled to hit the ground running.
West Indies got off to a good start when Kemar Roach was able to send back Rohit Sharma. The on-field umpire had turned down the appeal but the third umpire went on to overrule it after there was a spike in the ultra edge.
Read More: ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (Match 35): Sri Lanka vs South Africa – Stats Preview
However, replays had shown that there was not enough evidence of ball hitting the bat. In fact, the ball had made contact with both the bat as well as the pad at the same time, which led to the confusion. But Rohit Sharma was disappointed with the decision as the on-field umpire’s call was not-out.
KL Rahul got off to another cautious start and looked good for his 48. But the flamboyant batsman was not able to convert his start into big score when West Indies skipper Jason Holder was able to find the gulf between bat and pad to hit the top of off-stump.
Vijay Shankar once again could not get going after he scored 14 runs. Furthermore, Kedar Jadhav was also dismissed by Kemar Roach when he nicked the ball to the keeper.
Virat Kohli once again looked good for his knock of 72 runs. In fact, Kohli was the only batsman who was able to get going on a difficult pitch. However, Kohli was flummoxed by Holder when one of the short-pitched deliveries didn’t bounce as Kohli expected it to.
Read More: ICC World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli Becomes The Fastest To 20000 International Runs
MS Dhoni struggled to get going but showed the resistance. Dhoni had the rub of the green on his side when Shai Hope could not take a clean take to miss the stumping chance. Dhoni went on to score 56 from 59 balls to help India get past 260. Hardik Pandya was able to add the finishing touches with 46 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Dhoni ~ last over ~ 6's
Inevitable tale 🤩
It's almost like its in written
— RL (@vishal_tweep) June 27, 2019
Dhoni..dhoni..dhoni…
That's the reason why we believe in dhoni.#INDvWI #INDvsWI #CWC19 #dhoniisback— HARSH (@HarshLOVEselena) June 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/nadim_fahimi/status/1144235348840468480?s=20
He always gets the finish……. India have a decent score eventually. But once again, it is down to the bowlers to play the bigger role.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 27, 2019
MS Dhoni.
Mind over matter. Think SEVERAL times before you dismiss him.
Keep harping about it; a lot of cricket is played in the head! #cwc19 #WIvIND
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) June 27, 2019
268 is very good score on this deck, not on Twitter but on the deck it is fine. Probably 15-20 short but would take this score on this deck after they were 200 in 42. 68 in last 8, yes you would want more but this deck isn't easy to score
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 27, 2019
MSD’s half century a mixed bag. Massive stroke of luck saved him. But finished the innings superbly to make it an invaluable inning. Have India got enough is the question. Spinners hold the key IMO
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 27, 2019
Strong finish from Dhoni and India, but the spinners will have to come into play big time in defence of 268 #CWC19 #INDvWI
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) June 27, 2019
MS Dhoni likes to shut his critics with the bat, well done.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) June 27, 2019
@hardikpandya7 best all-rounder in the World Cup. #CWC19 #cricket #IndvWI
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) June 27, 2019
This is an excellent mid-innings spell from a proper quick bowler. Roach has shown up a little fragility in the Indian middle order. As a result, India behind where they would have liked to be.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 27, 2019
India’s middle-muddle is for real. There’s simply too much dependency on Kohli-Rohit. Dhawan is being missed…. #IndvWI #CWC19
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 27, 2019
A weak Number 4 further weakens the middle order. Always had reservations about Vijay Shankar #IndvsWI
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 27, 2019
Fewest innings to 20,000 runs in international cricket:
417 Virat Kohli
453 Sachin Tendulkar
453 Brian Lara
464 Ricky Ponting
483 AB de Villiers#INDvsWI #CWC19— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) June 27, 2019
Congratulation Virat Kohli @imVkohli on becoming the fastest batsman to complete 20,000 international runs. The nation is proud of you. #INDvsWI
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) June 27, 2019
Virat Kohli third captain in #CWC history to register four consecutive 50+ scores after Graeme Smith (in 2007) and Aaron Finch (2019*).#CWC19#CWC2019#IndvWI#IndvsWI
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 27, 2019
Today is the first real test for the Indian Middle order #INDvsWI #CWC19
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) June 27, 2019
India fans to dhoni #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/djmor1XtBd
— jhakkass (@khufiyapanty) June 27, 2019
Kohli hits a four.
Dhoni plays four dot balls at a stretch.#INDVsWI pic.twitter.com/anHZtdm2Ou— Aditya Shukla (@adityaretweet) June 27, 2019
Vijay Shankar scores 14 runs on 19 balls and out to prove that he is the worst player of Indian team. And his selection is the biggest mistake of selectors.#INDvsWI
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) June 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/abcd1234abcd__/status/1144206754563014656?s=20
https://twitter.com/SoverignBeera/status/1144224883611787265?s=20
Shankar and Rahul trying to replace Dhawan. #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/LYOAjHPfXl
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) June 27, 2019
Vijay Shankar got out,
Meanwhile all Indian Fans :#INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/jYj4aMWYxH— Sai Swaroop Bedamatta (@heyysaiii) June 27, 2019
This team can do with Pant's energy at the top. Rahul back at No. 4. Sadly, Vijay looks under pressure to keep his place every time he bats. #cwc19
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) June 27, 2019
Rashid Khan had gone for 25 in 4 overs , gave away only 13 in his next 6 and today Fabian Allen had given 34 in 5 overs, only 18 in next 5. Can't be so defensive against the spinners.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 27, 2019
I feel if dhoni stays till the end it may turn out to be a diff story…dhoni will change gears
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) June 27, 2019
At least a couple of times, the producer would have felt like whispering in Michealholding's ear #CWC19
— Rasesh Mandani (@rkmrasesh) June 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/Useless_Sperm0/status/1144232588933865472?s=20
