Published: Mar 06, 2015, 07:54 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 06, 2015, 07:58 PM (IST)
India beat West Indies by four wickets in a keenly-fought ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 encounter at the WACA, Perth. West Indies were bowled out for 182, with skipper Jason Holder the only man who put up a prolonged fight. In reply, India struggled on a tricky wicket, but got home. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks the highlights of the game. Full Scorecard: India vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Pool B Match 28 at Perth
The hostile beginning: From the outset, it was clear that the WACA wicket was lively and had bounce for the pacers. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav had Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle in all sorts of trouble early on. Smith looked all at sea and was hit on the body a few times. Gayle too looked in trouble and although he hit a few big shots, he did not look convincing for he was trying too much. In the first ten overs, India had managed to pick up four wickets, and that was quite a beginning for them. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Chris Gayle’s lives: The belligerent hitter was intent on breaking out of prison by playing big shots. He had played one uppishly to third-man, where Umesh Yadav put in a good effort but the ball popped out. Gayle then mistimed a pull towards mid-on, where the fielder dived forward, but could not get there. Instead, it resulted in the run-out of Marlon Samuels who had come out too far. And then, Mohammed Shami failed to catch one at third-man, despite a full length dive. Gayle had shown intent by smashing a six over long-on. However, Shami finally got him out when he pulled one to square-leg. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Poor shot selection by the West Indians: Although India bowled well, there was some poor shot selection by the West Indians. As discussed earlier, Gayle was given many lives before he was finally dismissed. Lendl Simmons pulled one straight to fine-leg; Jonathan Carter swept one to fine-leg; Darren Sammy was dropped when he fashioned a skier; and Andre Russell lofted one towards long-off. West Indies could have batted a lot better had they applied themselves. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Jason Holder’s fighting knock: Jason Holder had been in good form with the bat, having scripted a fighting innings against South Africa in the previous game. Holder looked the most sensible West Indian batsman on show. He picked his opportunities to score and was holding the innings together. Some of the most remarkable shots he played were down the ground as he cleared the boundary three times. This was a captain’s knock and something his teammates could learn from. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
The short stuff: West Indies also used short deliveries to good effect during their bowling. There were times when they overdid it as there were far too many wides over the head. But, they did get the important wicket of Virat Kohli, who hooked one straight to square-leg. Having dismissed India’s mainstay, West Indies would have fancied their chances. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pool-wise Team Standings
Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal: Kemar Roach got one to move past Ajinkya Rahane and there was a faint noise. The umpire ruled him out and Rahane referred it. Snickometer showed a small deflection, but one wondered whether the ball had touched the bat or the bat had touched the pad. In the end, he was given out. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
MS Dhoni’s upper-cut: MS Dhoni scripted a calm knock under pressure and took India to victory. One of the highlights of his innings was an upper cut that flew over third-man for a six. It was a good innings by Dhoni and having spent time in the middle would have helped his confidence tremendously. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
