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#INDvsWI | Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane guide India to a massive total of 192

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:50 IST

India orchestrated the perfect first innings performance in the ICC World T20 by scoring 192 against the West Indies, at a packed Wankhede Stadium that cheered every shot that the Indian batsmen played.

The stage was set for the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli to strut their stuff in a match that promised much even before the first ball was bowled.

And the performances in the first innings by the Indian batsmen justified the expectations, as both openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma went on the offensive. However, there was a clear method to their play as the first two overs were dealt with cautiously in order to not give away their wickets to spinners on a pitch that was giving them assistance.

Rohit Sharma scored 43 off 31 balls, exhibiting shots that displayed a clear knowledge of the pitch at his home turf. Soon, Virat Kohli joined the party after Sharma's dismissal to give the whole crowd what they had been waiting for the whole innings.

Starting slow in his typical fashion, Kohli ran hard between the wickets with Ajinkya Rahane at the other end, pushing him hard for doubles and putting pressure on the West Indian fielders.

After getting his eye in, Kohli teed off after the 17th over. Soon, Ajinkya Rahane gave way to MS Dhoni, setting up a crucial partnership till the end of the innings. It was a Vintage Kohli-Dhoni partnership towards the end, with either batsmen giving each other ample time on the crease to free their hands and hit the ball towards the boundary.

Kohli ended his innings with 89 runs in 47 balls to take the score to 192, an impressive score that would certainly require a big effort from the West Indian batsmen. However, with Chris Gayle in the West Indian ranks, no score is big enough for the formidable batsman on his day.

It's all over to the second innings now, to see if India can book their spot in the final of the ICC World T20.

First published: 31 March 2016, 8:47 IST