Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma were rested for the game, with India continuing to test youngsters in order to plug the gaps and zero in on the squad for the ODI World Cup at home this October-November.
While India’s uninspiring batting display disappointed fans, Kohli’s appearance on the field carrying drinks warmed their hearts.
It’s not the first time, though, that Kohli has done that duty. During the Dharamsala Test against Australia in 2017, Kohli had to sit out and Rahane captained the team in his absence. Kohli came out during one of the breaks with drinks and the visuals went viral.
The ODI series is yet to see Kohli bat, as the former India captain pushed himself down the order in the first ODI to allow the young batters to show their mettle.
But like in the first ODI, only Ishan Kishan came to the fore with a run-a-ball 55 as an opener. He had scored 52 in the first match of the series. Shubman Gill (34) and Suryakumar Yadav (24) once again failed to make the most of their starts.
Batting at No. 3, Sanju Samson scored only 9, while allrounders Axar Pael (1) and stand-in captain Hardik Pandya (7) also failed with the bat. India ended up being bowled out for 181 in 40.5 overs.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (3/36) and pacer Romario Shepherd (3/37) starred with the ball for the Windies with three wickets each.
West Indies then chased down the target in 36.4 overs, thanks to unbeaten knocks by skipper Shai Hope (64*) and Keacy Carty (48*) despite Shardul Thakur’s burst of 3/42.
(AI image)
