Team India skipper Virat Kohli’s 38th ODI) hundred went in vain as a disciplined Windies side came back strongly to win the third match by 43 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday. Chasing 284 to win, India looked on course with Kohli belting an excellent 107 off 119 balls, his third consecutive century of the series, and opener Shikhar Dhawan scoring 35 before a middle order collapse, coupled with some disciplined bowling bundled the hosts out for 240 in 47.4 overs.
“It was a pretty gettable total. We did not get the partnerships going, that does not happen too often. In the field we were fine. We didn’t execute our plans to perfection,” Kohli said in the post-match conference.
“We bowled pretty well. I think the wicket was not offering much in the first 35 overs. Later half it became difficult. From 227 for 8 we should have been chasing 250-260 at the maximum. The bowling effort was professional just that we give it away in the last 10 overs,” he added.
“This Windies side is an explosive side and they can beat any team on a given day. They played better cricket and they deserve to win. Look when Hardik and Kedar both play, we get the extra option. When someone like Hardik is not playing, who gives you both bowling and batting option, it is difficult to get the balance,” Kohli said.
The five-match ODI series is now deadlocked at 1-1 and all to play for at Brabourne in Mumbai.
