Suryakumar Yadav conjured up a responsible 64-run knock before Prasidh Krishna returned an impressive four-wicket haul as India thrashed the West Indies by 44 runs in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Surya hit a dogged 64 to help India posted a decent score of 237 for nine after being invited to bat. The Indian bowlers, led by Prasidh (4/12), then bundled out the opposition for 193 on a ‘Motera’ track, where batting wasn't easy.
For the visitors, Shamarh Brooks top-scored with 44.
It is the 11th time in the last 17 games that West Indies have failed to bat their quota of 50 overs despite the presence of senior players.
India had won the first ODI by six wickets and now the third game will be played on February 11.
Chasing a modest 238, West Indies lost opener Brandon King (18) and Darren Bravo (1) early with India pacer Prasidh accounting for both batsmen.
Opener Shai Hope (27) and Shamarh Brooks (44) tried to rally the innings but were able to add only 14 runs as Hope holed out to Suryakumar at long-on off Yuzvendra Chahal (1/45).
The visitors were reeling at 52/3. Prasidh was on a rampage as rival skipper Nicholas Pooran (9) became his third victim. West Indies lost half its side for 76.
From here on, it was just a matter of time. However, Brooks and Akeal Hosein (34) delayed the inevitable. Odean Smith (24) raised the Windies hope but eventually he too fell.
Prasidh fittingly ended the game by dismissing Kemar Roach. Pacer Mohammed Siraj (1/38), Shardul Thakur (2/41), Chahal, Washington Sundar (1/28) and Deepak Hooda (1/24) perfectly aided Prasidh.
Earlier, the hosts were reeling at 43 for three after a top-order collapse but then Suryakumar forged a crucial 91-run stand with vice-captain K.L. Rahul (49) to bring the team back on track.
The elegant Surya, who notched up his second fifty, mixed caution with aggression and hammered five fours in his 83-ball knock.
- PTI
