Rohit, Rahul score hundreds; Kuldeep takes hat-trick in India's big win

Rohit Sharma captivated with his languid brilliance in company of an equally graceful KL Rahul before Kuldeep Yadav topped it up with a hat-trick in India's series-leveling 107-run victory against West Indies in second one-dayer in Vizag on Wednesday. Indian Vice-Captain hit his 28th ODI hundred -- 159 off 138 balls -- and added 227 for opening stand with fellow centurion Rahul (102 off 104 balls) as India put up an imposing 387 for 5 in 50 overs. 

Rishabh Pant (39 off 16 balls) and Shreyas Iyer's (53 off 32 balls) thoroughly entertaining 72-run stand in only four overs also provided impetus required during a final flourish. In reply, West Indies, who looked good at 192 for 3 in 30th over, were bowled out for 280 in 43.3 overs. It was Mohammed Shami (3/39 in 7.3 overs), who removed dangerous Nicholas Pooran (75 off 47 balls) and skipper Keiron Pollard (0) off successive deliveries to spark a West Indies collapse.

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Kuldeep claims second ODI hat-trick

Kuldeep (3/52 in 10 overs) n removed dogged Shai Hope (78 off 85 balls), Jason Holder (11) and Alzarri Joseph (0) off successive deliveries to seal issue in favor of India. This was his second hat-trick in ODIs. He became first Indian player to claim two hat-tricks in international cricket. On a shirtfront of a track, West Indies was never going to make a comeback after losing five wickets for 18 runs and it was only a matter of time before India ended ir four-match losing streak at home. decider will w be played at Cuttack on December 22.

Rohit, as usual, batted at his own pace and looked like bandmaster of an orchestra, who made Caribbean bowlers dance to his tune. Sheldon Cottrell (2/83 in 9 overs) was punished with such ferocity that he didn't have energy to do a customary 'Cottrell Salute' once Iyer was out and it was more or less similar for all ors like Alzarri Joseph (0/68 in 9 overs) and Keemo Paul (0/62 in 9 overs). It was also a perfect demonstration on how to press accelerator in this format -- first 50 off 67, next off 40 balls and last off only 25.

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innings had 17 boundaries and five sixes and Rohit played same shot again and again. It was a swivel off his hips between fine leg and a deep fine leg to rising deliveries. West Indies bowlers were wary of pitching it up to him fearing his drives but ended up bowling short on hips and Indian gleefully played shot again and again. At times, y did realize mistake and pitched it up but n 'Retro Rohit' came out from where playing 1980s slog shots, shuffling towards leg-stump and making room to hit over cover boundary. re was a bowler's back-drive off Joseph to show who is boss.

Incidentally, Rohit was much behind Rahul in race for half-century but reached three-figure mark before Karnataka batsman.  When Rahul reached his hundred, he made a gesture which was something like shutting his ears from all humdrum surrounding him. Whatever he meant, it seemed to have worked well for him. biscuit coloured 22-yard, devoid of any grass, was supposed to be a nightmare for bowlers and it stayed true to its character.

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As Rohit took his own sweet time to settle down, Rahul went on offensive taking on Cottrell first up with a flurry of boundaries. With ball coming onto bat nicely, Rahul hit his first six over point off Jason Holder and n hit left-arm spinner Khary Pierre for a six over long-on as team total of 50 was reached.

By time Rahul was into his 30s, Rohit hadn't crossed 20 but it was just a matter of time. Once his Mumbai Indians teammate Alzarri Joseph came into attack, pull shot also came out of drawer. Alzarri's extra bounce was exactly what Rohit required as he rode on top of it and played a range of strokes to slowly catch up. It was a rare failure for skipper Virat Kohli (0) but capacity crowd at YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium was t disappointed as Pant and Iyer hit eight sixes between m in a span of four overs to ensure score went past 375. 

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