India captain Virat Kohli again backed Ambati Rayudu for the critical number four slot after the "intelligent" batsman reposed his skipper's faith with a less-than-a-run-a-ball century in the fourth ODI against the West Indies here Monday.
India recorded one of their biggest wins in the 50-over cricket with a 224-demolition of the visitors, following blazing hundreds by Rayudu and Rohit Sharma.
"Rayudu has taken his chance with both hands. We need to back him till the 2019 World Cup. He reads the game well, so we are happy that someone intelligent is batting at number four," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India were ruthless, barely two days after the shocking defeat in Pune, to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
"Yes, (we) ticked all the boxes. We were clinical in all departments. We got into rhythm. We are known to bounce back and it was another example. Khaleel (Ahmed) was good with pitching it in the right areas, making the ball talk, and swinging it both ways," the skipper said.
Defending 377, young pacer Khaleel (3/13) impressed upfront before chinaman Kuldeep Yadav (3/42)) ran through the West Indies' tail to bowl them out for 153 in 36.2 overs.
This was Rohit's 21st ODI century and seventh 150-plus score, having notched up one in the series opener.
"Very clinical right from the start. After losing two wickets, I had mentioned this earlier about having a big partnership and that was a game-changing partnership," said Rohit, who as declared as the man-of-the-match.
he added, "Once you are set, you got to make it count and that is what me and Rayudu did in the middle. We carried for as long as we did.
"Heartening to see the way we bowled as bowling unit. It was a long time coming, this kind of performance from the bowlers."
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