Rohit Sharma smashed a scintillating 98 not out at his favourite Eden Gardens as India scored a comprehensive 45-run win over the West Indies in their WT20 warm-up match.
Continuing with his love-affair at a venue where he had scored an ODI world record 264, Sharma plundered the Windies attack with seven sixes and nine fours in his 57-ball unbeaten 98 to power India to 185 for six after they batted first following a mutual decision.
In reply, West Indies were all out for 140 in 19.2 overs with the Indian bowlers coming up with an impressive show. Mohammed Shami, Pawan Negi, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya took two wickets apiece while Harbhajan Singh and Jasprit Bumrah got a wicket each.
In-form Sharma was in his elements in the Indian innings though he missed a century by two runs as he was left with just a few deliveries after Jerome Taylor picked up wickets of Pawan Negi (8) and Hardik Pandya (0) off consecutive balls in the final over.
In reply, the Windies were off to a flying start with Chris Gayle (20 from 11 balls; 3x4, 1x6) on fire but the big hitting opener was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah in his first over before Pawan Negi (2/15) and Jadeja (2/26) dented their chase. Returning from an injury lay-off, Mohammed Shami was hit for two boundaries as Windies raced to 35 for no loss in first three overs when Dhoni brought in Bumrah and he was right on target castling Gayle with straight full delivery.
Brief Scores
India: 185/6 (Rohit Sharma 98*) beat West Indies: 140 by 45 runs.
Indian eves register win
Bengaluru: Host India warmed-up for the ICC Women’s World T20 with a 29-run win over Ireland in a practice match here on Thursday.
In another match played here, Sri lanka brushed aside Bangladesh by five wickets.
Smriti Mandhana, a 19-year-old left-hander from Mumbai, hit an unbeaten 73 off 52 balls to lift India to 147 for four after home team captain Mithali Raj won the toss and elected to bat. Mandhana, who hit 10 boundaries and a six, put on 72 for the third wicket with Harmanpreet Kaur (24) after wickets off successive deliveries by Kim Garth had reduced India to 16 for two in the third over.
Ireland managed only 118 for nine in reply with Cath Delton making 37 and skipper Isobel Joyce chipping in with 28.