ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: India vs West Indies, Pool B match at Perth in caricatures

India extended their unbeaten run in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, as they beat West Indies by four wickets in a lively wicket at Perth on Friday. India also received their first major scare, as chasing 183, they were reduced to 134 for six. In the end it was captain MS Dhoni’s composed unbeaten 45 that helped the side notch up the victory comfortably. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Full coverage)

Earlier, West Indian captain Jason Holder called it right and elected to bat first. Indian pacers who had a disappointing tour of Australia stepped up and once again bowled brilliantly. They stuck to a plan against the dangerous Chris Gayle and consistently beat him. Indian bowling, which in the past has been criticised for not delivering consistently, has been one of team’s strengths in this tournament and they have delivered in every match so far.

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Good bowling, some terrible running between the wicket and poor shot selection – all contributed in West Indies being reduced to 85 for seven. When it seemed that West Indies would fold up before reaching three figures, captain Holder came to rescue. His 57 ensured that West Indies total gain some respectability, as they ended up with 182, one less than what India had managed against the same opposition in the 1983 World Cup final. All the five Indian bowlers were among wickets. Mohammad Shami picked up three, Umesh Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja got two; while Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohit Sharma got a wicket each. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Points Table)

West Indies were not giving it up and picked up wickets at regular intervals. They had India at 78 for four and later 134 for six. A composed knock from Dhoni saw India through in the 40th over. Had there been more discipline from the West Indian bowlers in terms of extras and had Holder managed his main bowlers better, a closer finish was certainly on the cards. By the end of the match, his main four bowlers had a combined nine overs left!

Brief scores:

West Indies 182 in 44.2 overs (Jason Holder 57; Mohammad Shami 3-35, Umesh Yadav 2-42, Ravindra Jadeja 2-27) lost to India 185 for 6 in 39.1 overs (MS Dhoni 45*; Jerome Taylor 2-33, Andre Russell 2-43) by four wickets