Cricket news round-up – December 23: Seamless Kohli leads India to series victory

Cricket news round-up – December 23: Seamless Kohli leads India to series victory

Virat Kohli India

Virat Kohli scored an important half-century as India hunted down a 316-run target to seal a tough chase against West Indies. Elsewhere, Pakistan have four centurions in an innings, and Chris Lynn hammers 94 in a BBL match.

Kohli, Jadeja lead India to 2-1 in nervy win

Half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, and an enterprising 31-ball 39 from Ravindra Jadeja lower down helped India boss the chase in the final ODI against West Indies in Cuttack on Sunday, December 22.

West Indies posted a daunting 315/5, with Nicholas Pooran (89) and Kieron Pollard (74*) leading the charge in a strong team contribution. However, India, having opted to bowl, made the most of the decision, pacing their innings smartly to knock off the target in 48.4 overs.

The victory was India’s tenth bilateral ODI series victory on the trot against West Indies.

Pakistan within three wickets of victory

Pakistan are all set to win their first Test at home in over a decade after scoring 555/3 declared in their second innings, and reducing Sri Lanka to 212/7 in their chase of 476.

It was an excellent display all-round from Pakistan. Centuries from all of their top four – Shan Masood (135), Abid Ali (174), Azhar Ali (118) and Babar Azam (100) – allowed them to post a daunting target.

Then, with Naseem Shah taking 3/31, Sri Lanka were whittled down, despite fierce resistance from Oshada Fernando (102) and later Niroshan Dickwella (65).

Lynn on the charge as Heat gets first win

Brisbane Heat won their first BBL 9 match against Sydney Sixers thanks to Chris Lynn’s blistering 35-ball 94.

Lynn’s knock comprised 4 fours and 11 sixes, and helped the Heat post a daunting 209/4, with Matt Renshaw scoring a supportive 39-ball 60*. Sixers were then restricted to 161/7, with James Vince’s 39 their highest score in the chase. Elsewhere, Melbourne Stars beat Hobart Hurricanes by 52 runs move up to second on the table.

Rohit Sharma to take a break, skip Sri Lanka tour – reports

Rohit Sharma, according to a report in the Times of India, is considering skipping India’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

“The selectors normally don’t give rest to anyone in the T20 team, but Rohit has been on the road for quite a while now,” TOI quoted a source as saying. “He has informed the Board that he wants to take rest for this series.”

If Rohit does take a break, it could open the doors for Shikhar Dhawan to give the selectors a headache – he has been left out in all formats, with the likes of KL Rahul (in limited-overs matches) and Mayank Agarwal (in Tests) making the openers’ slot their own.