Kohli, Raina and Dhoni hit fifties, India set West Indies 264-run target in 2nd ODI in Delhi

FILE PHOTO: MS Dhoni’s quickfire half century pushed India’s total to 263 in the 2^nd ODI

New Delhi – A quick fire half-century from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and a 105-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina helped India score 263 for seven following a slow start by the hosts in the second of the five One-Day Internationals (ODI) against the West Indies here Saturday.

India started poorly despite winning the toss and electing to bat with aggressive opener Shikhar Dhawan (1) getting clean bowled by pacer Jerome Taylor in only the second over at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Ajinkya Rahane (12) and Ambati Rayudu (32), elevated to No.3 position, tried to strike a partnership but both got out leaving India in a spot of bother with the score at 74 for three in the 18th over.

However, Kohli (62), batting a position lower than his regular No.3 spot, and southpaw Suresh Raina (62) combined well to push the run rate up and string together a 105-run fourth-wicket partnership which took the team out of trouble and gave them a chance to post a challenging total.

FILE PHOTO: Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina put together a 105-run partnership

When it was looking like the left and right hand combination would take India to strong total, Raina mistimed the ball to get caught at mid-off.

Kohli, lately going through a dry run of form, took time to get his timing right and continued for a while after Raina's dismissal but also got caught when he hit a straight and flat shot, only to be caught right at the edge of the long-off boundary.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (6) also got out quickly but Bhuvneshwar Kumar (18) gave the support which Dhoni needed.

The India skipper hit five boundaries and a massive six over long-on to end the innings at an unbeaten 51 and help his side reach a fighting total.

Jerome Taylor was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, taking three wickets for 54 runs in his 10 overs.

Brief scores:

India 263/7 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 62, Suresh Raina 62, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 51 not out; Jerome Taylor 3-54) against West Indies.