Alzarri Joseph produced a superb over against Rohit Sharma during the first ODI between India and West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, putting the experienced Indian opener under immense pressure before dismissing him on the final delivery of the over.
Rohit Sharma had started India’s chase carefully after West Indies posted 295/7 in their 50 overs. The Indian opener was looking to build a partnership with captain Shubman Gill and gradually move towards a half-century. However, Alzarri Joseph changed the momentum with a disciplined spell that gave Rohit almost no opportunity to score.
The West Indies pacer bowled five consecutive dot balls to Rohit in the 12th over before the Indian batter attempted a big shot on the sixth delivery and was caught in the deep. Rohit finished with 32 runs from 35 balls, including three sixes and two fours.
The dismissal came when India were chasing a target of 296. According to the ball-by-ball commentary, Joseph kept attacking the stumps and repeatedly varied his length, making it difficult for Rohit to find a scoring option. On the final ball, Rohit tried to flick the delivery towards the leg side, but the bat twisted at impact and the ball went high enough for Jewel Andrew to complete the catch.
Alzarri Joseph Creates Pressure With a Perfect Maiden Over
The key moment came in the 12th over of India’s innings.
Rohit was on strike for the entire over, but he could not score from any of the first five deliveries. Joseph mixed fuller deliveries with short balls and kept the ball around the stumps, forcing Rohit to play cautiously.
The over read:
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, W
Five dot balls created the pressure, and the wicket on the sixth delivery completed a memorable over for the West Indies fast bowler.
The first delivery was full and angled towards Rohit. The batter played it towards the leg-side fielders but could not find a gap. Joseph then went wider on the crease and bowled a short delivery outside off, which Rohit could only guide towards the field.
Another full delivery followed, again targeting the leg side. Rohit attempted to work it away but was slightly late. Joseph then produced another delivery on the middle and leg line before sending down a short ball outside off on the fifth delivery.
Rohit chose not to attack the fifth ball.
That left him with one delivery remaining in the over. Joseph then bowled another delivery around the middle and leg stump. Rohit moved across and attempted to hit it into the leg-side stands, but the shot did not come off as he intended.
The ball went high into the air, and Jewel Andrew positioned himself underneath it to take a straightforward catch.
Rohit’s innings was over.
Rohit Sharma Falls for 32 From 35 Balls
Rohit Sharma scored 32 runs from 35 deliveries during his stay at the crease.
His innings included:
| Batting Performance | Rohit Sharma |
|---|---|
| Runs | 32 |
| Balls | 35 |
| Fours | 2 |
| Sixes | 3 |
| Strike Rate | 91.42 |
| Dismissed by | Alzarri Joseph |
| Catch | Jewel Andrew |
Rohit had already hit three sixes and two fours before his dismissal. Although he was unable to convert his start into a major score, his presence at the crease had given India a positive beginning in the chase.
At the end of the 12th over, India were 74/1, with Shubman Gill still at the crease. Virat Kohli walked in after Rohit’s dismissal, receiving a huge reception from the Thiruvananthapuram crowd.
Alzarri Joseph Has Rohit Sharma’s Number Again
The dismissal was another important moment in the contest between Alzarri Joseph and Rohit Sharma.
The ball-by-ball commentary noted that Joseph had dismissed Rohit for the fourth time in ODIs. That makes the West Indies fast bowler one of the bowlers who has repeatedly found a way to trouble the experienced Indian opener in the 50-over format.
Rohit is known for taking the attack to fast bowlers once he settles at the crease. However, Joseph did not give him the room or length required to play his usual attacking strokes during that crucial over.
Instead, the West Indies pacer stayed disciplined and made Rohit wait for scoring opportunities.
That patience ultimately paid off.
West Indies Set India a Target of 296
Earlier in the first ODI, West Indies were asked to bat first after India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field.
The Caribbean side made a strong start through openers Justin Greaves and John Campbell.
The pair added 135 runs for the first wicket, giving West Indies an excellent platform. Campbell scored 62, while Greaves continued his innings and eventually reached a century.
West Indies eventually finished their 50 overs at 295/7, setting India a target of 296.
Justin Greaves Leads West Indies’ Batting Effort
Justin Greaves was the standout batter for West Indies.
He scored 101 runs from 108 balls, recording his maiden ODI century. His innings contained 12 fours and played a major role in helping West Indies post a competitive total.
Greaves and Campbell were particularly effective during the opening phase. They scored 85 runs during the first 10 overs and eventually put together a 135-run opening partnership.
Campbell contributed 62 from 60 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.
After the opening partnership was broken, West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals, but Amir Jangoo provided the late acceleration.
Jangoo remained unbeaten on 58 from 43 balls, including seven fours and one six, helping West Indies finish on 295/7.
Kuldeep Yadav Keeps India in the Game
India’s bowling attack struggled during the early stages as Greaves and Campbell gave West Indies a strong start.
However, Kuldeep Yadav changed the course of the innings in the middle overs.
The left-arm wrist-spinner finished with four wickets and played a major role in restricting West Indies from reaching an even bigger total. Prasidh Krishna also claimed two wickets, while Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up one wicket.
Kuldeep dismissed both Greaves and Campbell, along with Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew.
Despite those wickets, Jangoo’s aggressive batting at the end allowed West Indies to finish with a score close to 300.
India Start the Chase With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
India began the chase with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the top of the order.
The opening pair initially played positively, with Gill also finding several boundaries. India reached 70 without losing a wicket at the end of the first Powerplay.
The situation changed when Roston Chase was introduced into the attack and West Indies started spreading the field.
India’s openers were still in a comfortable position, but Joseph’s 12th over created the breakthrough the visitors wanted.
Five consecutive dot balls meant Rohit could not rotate the strike or find a boundary. The pressure eventually resulted in the wicket.
Alzarri Joseph’s Discipline Makes the Difference
Fast bowlers do not always need to produce a spectacular delivery to take a big wicket.
Joseph’s over against Rohit was an example of how pressure can create an opportunity.
Instead of constantly searching for a wicket ball, Joseph focused on bowling in areas where Rohit would find it difficult to attack. The Indian batter had to defend, leave or play the ball into the field without scoring.
By the time the final delivery arrived, Rohit had faced five balls without adding to his score.
That situation changed the nature of the final ball.
Rohit attempted to break the pressure with an attacking stroke, but the shot did not travel far enough.
Jewel Andrew completed the catch and West Indies celebrated a major breakthrough.
Why Rohit’s Wicket Was Important for West Indies
Rohit Sharma’s return to India’s ODI setup was one of the biggest stories before the match.
Along with Virat Kohli, Rohit returned to India’s 50-over team after the two senior players stepped away from Test and T20I cricket.
His wicket therefore carried significance beyond the individual dismissal.
India were chasing 296, and Rohit had already helped provide a steady start. Removing him gave West Indies an opportunity to put pressure on the Indian middle order.
Virat Kohli then walked out to bat, adding another major storyline to the match.
Kohli’s return was also significant because he was closing in on the landmark of 15,000 ODI runs.
India vs West Indies 1st ODI: Key Match Facts
| Key Moment | Details |
|---|---|
| West Indies total | 295/7 |
| Target for India | 296 |
| Justin Greaves | 101 |
| John Campbell | 62 |
| Amir Jangoo | 58* |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4 wickets |
| Rohit Sharma | 32 off 35 |
| Rohit dismissed by | Alzarri Joseph |
| Catch | Jewel Andrew |
| India at Rohit’s dismissal | 74/1 |
| Rohit’s boundaries | 2 fours, 3 sixes |
The match is the opening game of the three-match ODI series between India and West Indies. Shubman Gill is leading India, while Shai Hope is captaining the West Indies side.
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Alzarri Joseph Remains a Major Threat With the Ball
For West Indies, Alzarri Joseph is an important part of the pace attack.
His ability to generate pace and attack the stumps makes him a difficult bowler to face, particularly when he gets assistance from the pitch.
Against Rohit, Joseph showed another important quality: control.
The over did not contain a wicket-taking ball from the beginning. Instead, the pressure built delivery by delivery.
That is what made the final wicket particularly important.
The sequence of 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, W tells the story of the over in the simplest possible way.
Five deliveries produced no runs.
The sixth produced the wicket.
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West Indies Have Several Bowling Options
Joseph is not the only bowling option available to West Indies.
The playing XI also includes Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie, giving captain Shai Hope a combination of pace and spin.
Joseph’s early spell can be particularly valuable because he can attack established batters with pace while also using changes in length.
Against India, where the batting lineup contains experienced players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, creating pressure during the Powerplay and middle overs is important.
The dismissal of Rohit showed how quickly a few dot balls can change the situation.
Rohit Sharma’s Return Ends With a Short Stay
Rohit’s return to ODI cricket did not produce the big score Indian fans would have hoped for, but his 32-run innings included several attacking strokes.
Three sixes showed that he was willing to play his natural game.
However, the five-dot-ball sequence from Joseph prevented him from maintaining that momentum.
The final delivery ultimately brought an end to the innings.
For West Indies, it was an important wicket at an important stage of India’s chase.
For Joseph, it was another reminder of his ability to trouble one of India’s most experienced ODI batters.
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Conclusion
The first ODI between India and West Indies produced an intriguing battle between bat and ball, and Alzarri Joseph was at the centre of one of the most talked-about moments of India’s chase.
Rohit Sharma had made a steady start and looked capable of building a bigger innings. But Joseph’s disciplined 12th over changed everything. Five consecutive dot balls created pressure, and Rohit attempted to attack the final delivery before finding Jewel Andrew in the deep.
Rohit walked back after scoring 32 from 35 balls, with two fours and three sixes.
Earlier, Justin Greaves had played the leading role with the bat for West Indies, scoring 101 from 108 balls, while John Campbell added 62. Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 58 helped West Indies reach 295/7 and set India a target of 296.
Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul kept India in the contest, but Joseph’s dismissal of Rohit provided West Indies with an important breakthrough during the chase.
The sequence 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, W will stand out as one of the defining moments of the opening ODI, showing just how effectively Alzarri Joseph built pressure before delivering the breakthrough.
