Virat Kohli lauds Pant and Iyer's performance under pressure, praises Shimron Hetmyer

Even though West Indies side rattled India, Indian skipper Virat Kohli heaped praises over young guns, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant who helped host put up a defendable score. visitors defeated India by eight wickets in first One-Day International to take a 1-0 lead in three-match series in Chennai. However, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant added 114 runs for fourth wicket as Iyer scored 70 while Pant scored 71. Virat Kohli furr extolled his former RCB teammate, Shimron Hetmyer, who slammed 139 off 106 and anchored West Indies to an in opening game.

Speaking at post-match presentation, Koli asserted performance of Pant and Iyer to be a good sign for team as youngsters pulled team out of a tough situation. 

“Very good signs for us with performances of Iyer and Pant. Rohit and I,  t clicking today gave a good opportunity for youngsters to stitch toger a partnership. You try to go in with as many options as you can. We thought six bowling options would be eugh. We thought six bowling options would be eugh. I don’t think pitch changed drastically, y batted brilliantly. spinners were getting help but y put pressure on our spinners brilliantly. Hetmyer’s innings was outstanding,” he said.

READ: Shimron Hetmyer slams fifth ODI century against India to ease Indies' chase of 288

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West Indies take a 1-0 lead

Chasing a target of 288, West Indies looked in trouble when Sunil Ambris was trapped in front of wicket by Deepak Chahar. However, that was only relief for Men In Blue as y were made to toil for wickets by duo of Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope who hit bowlers to all corners of ground and were involved in a 218-run stand for second wicket. Both of m went on to score tons and by time Hetmyer was dismissed for 139, momentum was already shifted in favour of visitors and re was looking back for m from reon. Meanwhile, Hope continued to playing his attacking shots and was ably supported by wicket-keeper batsman Nicholas Pooran. Hope finished unbeaten on 102- a kck which included seven boundaries and a maximum as West Indies drew first blood in three-match series.

READ: Shai Hope's unbeaten century helps West Indies draw first blood in first ODI

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