Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Credits: Twitter)

Skipper Virat Kohli (140) and his deputy Rohit Sharma (152*) scored century each as India crushed West Indies by 8 wickets in the first ODI at Guwahati.

Chasing 323, India lost Shikhar Dhawan for just 10. But containing the Indian batsmen on a flat track was going to be a herculean task for West Indies and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli proved it right. While Rohit looked cautious early on, Kohli batted in top gear right from the start. India crossed the 50-run mark in just the 8th over while Kohli reached his fifty off just 36 balls.

Rohit, on the other hand, reached his fifty off 51 balls. The right-hander shifted gears after surpassing the fifty run-mark while Kohli continued to bat in the same manner. Consequently, he reached his century off 88 balls. Rohit joined the century club too.

West Indies finally managed a breakthrough when Devendra Bishoo dismissed Kohli for 140 to end the mammoth 246-run stand.

Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu then shared an unbeaten stand to take the team home with ease.

Earlier in the game, a stunning century from Shimron Hetmyer propelled West Indies to a competitive 322 for 8.  Asked to bat first, the visitors were off to a poor start. Debutant Chandrapaul Hemraj departed after scoring just nine. However, Kieran Powell, who had an average of 12 in his past 12 innings, held firm from one end.

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Powell began the proceedings with a fine cover drive off Mohammed Shami.  On the other end, Shai Hope was struggling to get going. But Powell made sure that the scoreboard moves on with a healthy rate. He and Hope added 65 runs to lay the foundation for a good total. Powell reached his half-century in only 36 balls but threw his wicket away soon after. Looking to clear the boundary, he mistimed and holed out to Shikhar Dhawan at long on.

The breakthrough allowed India to tighten the grip for a while. Veteran batsman Marlon Samuels, playing his 200th ODI, was out for a two-ball duck.  Hope also returned to the pavilion soon as West Indies were four down for 114. But from thereon, Hetmyer took the onus on himself to guide his side to a good total. The left-hander faced little trouble against the pacers as well as the spinners.

He shared fifty-plus stands with Rovman Powell and Jason Holder to steady the ship. It took Hetmyer only 41 balls to reach his fifty and 33 more balls to reach his 3rd century in 13 games. He eventually fell for 106 off just 78 balls. The knock contained 6 fours and as many sixes.

Devendra Bishoo and Kemar Roach then took the side past the 300-run mark with an unbeaten 43-run stand.

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Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:

https://twitter.com/Dhawanswarrior/status/1053989799969796097

https://twitter.com/Man_isssh/status/1053925573255290881

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