Cricket World Cup 2015 India v/s West Indies: Ice-cool Dhoni takes India to victory on Perth minefield
India are now through to the quarterfinals.
India have been given a big, big scare. There were points in the run chase when West Indies were in front. The batting order's thirst to score quick runs almost cost India the match. In the end, it was the ice-cool-under-pressure Dhoni who won the match for India with an extremely crucial 45 not out, on a minefield of a pitch in Perth. India are now through to the quarterfinals.
Over 40
FOUR. Dhoni was thinking of the slog, but he pulled out and drove at the last instant. The ball took an edge but it was too quick for first slip. Flies to third man for four and INDIA HAVE WON.
Over 39
Yorked, but gets a single off the last ball. India 181/6 and just 2 away from victory.
FOUR. Short ball, outside off and Dhoni creams it for four through covers. Just three needed now.
Two singles off the first two balls as India edge ever closer. The ball is also becoming slightly old now, so there's a little less seam movement and bounce.
Over 38
Dhoni defends the rest of Samuels' over. India 173/6, just 10 needed.
OH. There was almost a fatal mix up. Ashwin flicked to short third man and ran, they almost aborted the run mid-pitch as the fielder dived to stop it.
Marlon Samuels continues, and Dhoni biffs it down the ground for one.
Over 37
India are now doing it in singles. Without a false shot, India cannot lose this now. 5 singles off the over, India 171/6.
Flicked through the on side for one, 14 more needed.
Wide ball from Dwayne Smith. These wides are now starting to hurt WI. Just 15 more needed.
Over 35
Short ball, too short. Wide called as it sails over Ashwin. Last ball is defended and India are 164/6. 19 needed.
Biffed through covers, the fielder misfields and India run three. 20 more needed.
Two singles off the next two balls means India's target is down to 25. Then a harsh wide call. 24 more.
Kemar Roach continues. Dhoni pulls him into the deep for one.
Over 34
Ashwin flicks easily for a single, but Dhoni looks in more of an attacking mindset. Samuels is a big gamble for the Windies. India 155/6 after 34 overs.
Marlon Samuels, the first spinner to bowl in the Windies innings, is on.
Over 33
Ashwin looks very poised, and so does Dhoni. Wide ball. Roach keeps losing his line now and then. India 153/6 after 33.
Flicked away into the on side for two.
Over 32
Now he pulls, skies it but it lands safely. India get a single. Ashwin ducks the next ball and India are 148/6 after 32 overs.
SIX! Short outside off, Dhoni goes for the upper cut, connects well, and it goes for six. What a shot.
Dhoni and Ashwin score a single each off the next 2 balls.
FREE HIT. Low full toss, Dhoni powers it straight, but is caught at mid on. Won't be out.
Big no ball from Andre Russell.
Over 30
R Ashwin is the new batsman. India 135/6 after 30 overs.
OUT! Nearly dropped, and then out. Short ball again, Jadeja goes for the pull, skies it and the fielder in the deep almost drops it, then takes it on the second chance. 134/6.
Jadeja slashes hard outside off and misses.
Short ball from a returning Andre Russell, and it sails over Dhoni's head. Wide called.
Over 29
Flick for one off the fifth ball. Jadeja fails to flick off the last ball. India 132/5 after 29.
Bump ball through the covers, Jadeja waits to see if the ball finds the gap. It does, so they run one.
Jerome Taylor is back into the attack. His first three balls are too straight and fetch India 2 runs.
Over 28
Ouch! What a ball. Searing short ball, smacks Jadeja in the chest but India run a single. 127/5 after 28 overs.
FOUR. Jadeja pulls, he was in decent position though slightly beaten for pace. He cleared mid on though.
Down leg side, Dhoni misses with the flick and they get a leg bye.
Dhoni looks way out of touch. Inside edge onto the boot, could easily have been onto stumps.
Over 27
The next five balls are defended. India 122/5 after 27 overs.
FOUR. Wide and full, Jadeja eases into it and caresses it through cover for four.
Over 26
Short, pulled away for one. Last two balls are defended by Dhoni. India are 118/5 after 26.
Jadeja jabs into the on side and India run a very quick single.
Flicked through the off side, cover can't stop it and India get two.
Over 25
Another swing and a miss, what is Jadeja doing? India 114/5 after 25 overs.
Drives away from the body, misses. India have little idea of this Perth wicket.
Dwayne Smith sprays down leg side and it's called a wide.
Over 24
Short ball, Dhoni takes his eyes off as he ducks. India 113/5 after 24 overs.
FOUR. Very short, defeats Dhoni, he pulls without conviction. Ball takes the glove, flies over the keeper for four.
Single to mid off.
Dhoni jabs to gully for no run.
Over 23
OUT! Short ball, wide, Raina slashes hard and gets an edge to the keeper. The slightly extra bounce did him in. 22 off 25. India 107/5.
Short, way down leg side and called a wide. 77.
Second ball is defended comfortably by Raina. Third is driven through cover point for one. 78 more to win.
First ball is flicked away for a single.
Dwayne Smith comes into the attack.
Over 21
Slashed hard, no run, it might have been lucky that he missed. India 97/4 after 21 overs.
Good, pacy short ball neck high, this time Raina sways away.
Again an out of control hook/pull, it lands in no man's land.
Good shot from Raina gets stopped on the boundary after some good diving.
Over 20
Short into Raina this time, he hooks awkwardly. Ball flies in the air but for a single. India 93/4 after 20 overs.
FOUR. What a beautiful straight drive by Raina. Perfect position, leans into it, Dhoni makes way at the non-striker's end.
Flicked away into the on side for tow, the crowd cheers big.
Over 19
Now Dhoni gets hit in the ribs as he jumps to defend. 84/4 after 19 overs.
Good length, good spot, and the ball dives in after pitching. It was swinging in as it passed the stumps. Deadly wicket.
Three short, bouncy balls. Dhoni leaves them alone.
5 WIDES. Too short, even 2 Dhonis would not have been able to hit that if they were standing on top of each other.
Short ball, Suresh Raina pulls it away uncomfortably for one. India are in trouble.
Over 18
MS Dhoni is the new man in. After 18 overs, India are 78/4
CAUGHT BEHIND, OR NOT? Rahane was cut in half as he tried to run the ball down. The umpire gives it out caught behind, and Rahane calls for a REVIEW. Nothing on the snickometer. But he's given OUT! India 78/4.
FOUR. Pressure shot. Slightly wide and short, Rahane throws his bat hard, gets it over extra cover and into the boundary.
FREE HIT. And Rahane misses again. It was a fast full toss.
Misfield allows a very shaky Raina two, and it's also a no ball.
Over 16
Raina pulls the last ball for one. 68/3.
2 runs. Left alone outside off, keeper misfields. Oh dear.
Oh. Slightly wide outside off, Rahane goes for the expansive drive and misses.
Tucked off the hips and Raina gets his first run.
Roach runs in, then pulls out of the run. Tactic?
NO RUN. Wide outside off but full, Rahane was backing away but had to drive in the end. Straight to cover point.
No ball from Roach, and free hit coming up.
Over 15
It's also drinks time.
OUT! Head high full toss, Kohli pulls hard, in the air and straight to long leg. India lose Kohli just as a recovery was afoot. Huge wicket. India 63/3.
Fast, short, and Rahane swivel pulls it weakly into the ground for one.
Dabs it straight down and tries for a non-existent single, but pulls out of it before it's too late.
Ripper! Almost takes Rahane's head off, he sways out of the way well, and it's incredibly called WIDE.
FOUR. Short ball, but it wasn't a bad short ball. Into the chest area, and Rahane pulls it powerfully over square leg for four. Brilliant shot, it was almost six.
Over 14
Last ball is defended safely. India are 56/2 after 14. It was a maiden over.
Now he flicks a ball too straight towards square leg and goes for a run blindly. No run, gets sent back.
Did I say MAKE him play? Rahane plays well outside off with absolutely no feet, misses and bites his tongue.
Roach is still hitting the deck hard. Two balls left well alone by Rahane. WI need to test him more, make him play.
Over 13
Rahane flicks the last ball for one and India are 56/2 after 13 overs.
WIDE. How was that a wide? Kohli moves across and tries to pull a chest high ball, but misses. Called wide.
Short ball, Rahane hooks it uncomfortably to long leg for one.\
Ball 2 gets flicked away to long leg for one. India may like Russell more because of his lower pace.
Andre Russell is the new bowler. The first ball is dabbed to off for a quick single, but the incoming point fielder hits the stumps. Kohli is safely in his crease though.
Over 12
A single is followed by a slightly wayward short ball which Kohli ducks into. The ball keeps a little low but still travels over Kohli's lowered frame. India 50/2 after 12 overs.
Three balls well outside off from Roach, and Rahane leaves all of them with ease.
Over 11
FOUR. Shorter, good length, but even straighter. It was on middle and leg and was flicked off the backfoot through the on side. The commentators bemoan the poor bowling. India 49/2.
FOUR. Slightly straight, fuller, and Kohli drives through mid wicket for four.
Well driven into the covers, but straight to the fielder.
The ball crashes into Kohli's front pad, and there's a big appeal. West Indies don't ask for a review, and the replay shows it was going over the middle stump.
Over 10
Two quick runs off the last ball. India 41/2 after 10 overs.
FOUR. Roach follows it up with an easy ball on leg stump and is flicked for four.
NOT OUT. That was a poor appeal, and a waste of an appeal. 1 down.
Drives and misses again, the West Indies are amused. Kohli is not. OH, they have appealed for a caught behind! DRS is called for!
Thinks of playing the next ball, which is a little shorter. Leaves before disaster can strike.
MISSES. Drives on the up, ball swings away, Kohli looks like a fool. Big oooooh from the crowd.
Way outside leg stump and Kohli leaves. Wide called.
Kemar Roach is into the attack.
Over 8
Rahane negotiates his first four balls with ease. India 25/2 after 8 overs.
One elderly fan is already praying.
Now he steers it down to third man for one. This is the wicket which will really test India. Perth.
FOUR. Driven through the covers by Kohli, and the fielder running from cover has no chance.
Over 7
OUT! And Rohit's gone now. Closer to off, fuller in length, Rohit drives but its a little late. Edged to the keeper. Rohit made 7. India in trouble. 20/2
Tucked into the ribs, Kohli takes his bottom hand off as he plays it to backward short leg for one.
Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Kohli tries to on drive and gets a leading edge to cover which misfields to allow a single. Then Rohit edges behind, Gayle misfields on the bounce and there is another single.
Over 6
Last ball is left alone and India are 17/1 after 6 overs.
FOUR. Full ball, angling in, and Rohit may have played the shot of the match. Beautiful drive, the ball had raced to the boundary before you could say West Indies.
Kohli puts his foot forward to try and flick the fuller ball to leg, but misses and India get one leg bye. There was a stifled appeal from the bowler.
Windies quicks have bowled well so far. Holder continues.
Over 5
On middle and leg, slower, and Rohit gets a leading edge straight down the wicket, but it lands much in front of the bowler. India 12/1 after 5 overs.
Finally a single to release the pressure. Last ball of the over coming up.
Slower ball, Kohli almost digs it out from off stump.
Dhawan drove off a good length. Classic dismissal on good bowling tracks.
Virat Kohli is the new batsman, and the ball is full. He jabs, and a new short mid on fields.
OUT! Dhawan is out, he has edged to first slip on a pitch that separates the great from the good. Chris Gayle took a good diving catch. Dhawan made 9. India 11/1.
Over 4Another quick run, on the off side. India 11/0 after 4 overs.
Short, very short, and too wide. Again the commentators think it's wide and the umpire disagrees. It's just one for the over.
Yet another single, India are running well today.
Dhawan again dabs it to short mid on for one. Rohit continues defending.
Over 3
Five off this over, India 8/0 after 3.
Swing and bounce, away from Dhawan, he goes over the man at gully, gets a single to third man. Was not in full control.
Good ball. Slightly fuller, closer to off stump and swings in. Dhawan stays on the backfoot, but manages to play it away in the end.
FOUR. This time Dhawan plays the cut shot. Back of a length and Dhawan rocks back on the backfoot for a boundary through point.
The next ball is too short and too wide but Dhawan won't touch it. It's one for the over, but not called wide.
Taylor continues, and Dhawan continues leaving the short balls.
Over 2
Slightly fuller this time and Rohit defends on the front foot. Just one from the over, India 3/0
Well outside off stump and left well alone. Rohit repeats the action off the next ball, as Holder repeats the length and line.
Dhawan defends this time and they run a quick single...the 'Australian way'. Holder is sharing the opening ball.
Over 1
Rohit defends the last ball and India are 2/0 after 1 over.
Oh. Short and coming in. Dhawan thinks of playing and then takes his bat away. It hits the bat anyway and they get a single to third man.
There is still enough bounce and pace in the wicket. The next two balls sear in, the second one moves into Dhawan off the seam, but it's still outside off.
Rohit dabs the second down and they run a very quick single.
First ball is left alone by Rohit.
The Indian openers walk out to the middle. Dhawan and Sharma
Windies have been bowled out for 182, but they were once 85/7. India should have restricted them to below 150. 182 in Perth is not a horrible total, but it's still below par.
Over 45
OUT! Finally the innings is over. Holder goes straight down the ground attempting to clear Kohli at long off, but holds out. Kohli has a few choice words for no one in particular as he takes the catch. 182 all out.
Over 44
Slower ball, Single off the last ball. India didn't try to prevent that for some reason. This is now Holder's highest score. WI 182/9
FOUR. Low full toss on middle, Holder gives room and plays a beautiful drive through point for four.
HITS HIM IN THE HEAD. Jason Holder first thought of playing, then took evasive action by taking his eyes off the ball and ducking into it face down. Ball hits flush on the helmet top and Windies run two as the ball trickles to third man.
India allow an easy single to Roach off the second ball.
Kemar Roach is the new man in, the last one.
Over 43
OUT! Finally there's a wicket. Short ball from Yadav, Taylor hooks without position, and the bowler takes a return catch. Windies 175/9 after 43 overs.
This is now a proper death overs match. The turnaround has been striking. Low full toss gets driven through covers for two.
That's fifty for Holder, a very important one. Windies were 85/7 remember.
India have dropped 4 catches today.
Over 42
Single takes Holder to 49, Windies 172/8 after 42 overs.
Holder biffs a full Ashwin delivery down the ground to long off for two. He moves to 48.
Rohit Sharma dropped a catch in the 41st over, an easy one. Abuses follow on Twitter.
Over 40
11 runs off the over. West Indies 162/8 after 40 overs.
Flipper, flat on middle, Holder thinks about the big shot, but then checks it and scores a single through covers.
Now a single to long on. Windies have reached 4 per over.
SIX! Down the track comes Holder, and goes high over long off for six. Holder moves to 40.
Over 39
Taylor leaves the last ball. WI 151/8 after 39 overs.
Mistimed to mid off and no run. 147.1 kmph.
FOUR. Stylish square cut. Four to deep point. 150 up for West Indies.
Yadav unleashes some pacy bouncers on the hapless Taylor now.
Short ball into the ribs, pulled through midwicket uneasily for one.
Umesh Yadav comes back into the attack. 1/27
Over 38
Short pacy ball, sails over Taylor's head as he misses a hook. Looks at the umpire but it's not called wide.
Now nudged down to third man for one.
SIX. Full ball on middle, Holder goes straight down the ground for a tall six.
FOUR. Short ball, but the wicket is not as pacy any more. Front foot pull for four.
Slower ball outside off, plays into the covers for no run.
Shami again. Bowls short outside off and Holder leaves.
Over 37
He swings again next ball but it turns away and Holder is left looking like a fool. WI 134/8 after 37 overs.
SIX! Holder hits over long off for six. That was a slower one from Jadeja outside off, Holder swung and got enough bat on it to take it over long on.
Over 36
Good pace, good bounce, similar delivery to Sammy's dismissal. But Taylor lets it go. Windies 125/8 after 36 overs.
Shami now has 3/23. Next ball is wide and is called wide. Jerome Taylor is the new batsman.
OUT! Short ball outside off, but much closer to off stump this time. Nevertheless, Sammy had no reason to nick that. He goes for 26, Windies 124/8.
FOUR. Slower full ball outside off this time, and Sammy gets a big inside edge for four to fine leg. He really tried to take the cover of that one.
Short ball, slow, but too wide for Sammy to think about it.
Punched off the back foot for no run. This powerplay might be more beneficial to India than Windies.
Compulsory powerplay for West Indies now as Shami comes back.
Over 34
119/7 after 34 overs.
Slower ball, played out to sweeper cover for one.
Short ball, and Sammy misses on the hook.
Over 33
West Indies 117/7 after 33 overs.
Jadeja continues. India need a wicket, this partnership is growing steadily
Over 31
Ohh...Beaten in flight, and Sammy scoops it back towards the bowler. Mr Sammy is between Jadeja and the lunge. Jadeja cannot get to it, Windies get two. 109/7 after 31 overs and it's drinks.
Down the track and Holder drives for one.
The next ball is wide outside leg, called a wide. The partnership is now 21, but it's not very confident.
Jadeja continues and immediately beats Holder in flight.
Over 30
Short ball, Holder ducks into it and umpire calls it a wide.
Single down to sweeper cover for one.
Yadav is steaming in. A fast incutter almost gets Holder out LBW. Holder plays across and misses, but it was too high.
Over 29
Single off the last ball takes Windies to 101. 101/7.
Jadeja continues and bowls five dot balls.
Over 28
West Indies reach 100 after 28 overs.
Good ball, beaten for pace and swing was Holder. The next ball is nervously played into the off side but India's covers are strong.
Wide outside off and the West Indies skipper misses with the cut.
Yadav is back into the attack.
Over 26
Single off the last ball, run quickly. WI 93/7 after 26 overs.
FOUR. Slightly short, Sammy cuts, and Jadeja doesn't dive at point.
Jason Holder is the new victim.
Ashwin is back for his second spell, and immediately finds an inside edge onto the pad.
Over 25
West Indies 88/7 after 25 overs.
OUT! And he does!! Andre Russell tries to go over the top, gets a top edge and the ball finds long on with precision. Andre Russell is out for 8, Windies 85/7.
Jadeja has been given the ball. Is this punishment? He can turn it into redemption.
Over 23
DROPPED. Now this is a very poor drop. Sammy gets it high in the air as he goes for a swing, Jadeja is under it but drops it at the last instant. WI 84/6 after 23.
Short ball outside off, Russell swings hard and top edges it. But it lands safe between 2 fielders.
Biffed into the off side and Windies are restricted to a single by some good fielding at mid off.
Slower ball, full, Russell clears his back foot and tries to swing. Misses and the ball goes 3 bounces to the keeper.
Another short ball, better length, and Russell ducks. Looks at the square leg umpire who just says it's one for the over.
SIX! Andre Russell is the new batsman. Short ball from Mohit, and Russell swings powerfully into the leg side for six.
Over 22
Fumble at square leg allows Windies a single. 72/6 after 22 overs.
OUT! Misses, misses off good balls. Then sweeps a ball outside leg stump straight into the hands of long leg. Jonathan Carter made 21 off 43 balls. West Indies in deep trouble at 71/6.
Over 21
Last ball is left alone, and it's another maiden. 71/5 after 21 overs.
Short ball, let go by Sammy and it's two for the over.
Mohit continues, and there's the first sign of low bounce as the keeper takes at waist height.
Over 20
Bounce and turn into Sammy again, he manages to make enough room to turn it into the off side for one. WI 71/5 after 20.
Bounce, turn and Sammy leaves it at the last moment. Hits the pad.
Windies continue to struggle even against Ashwin. They eke out a single through an edge this time.
Over 19
Good drive from Sammy finds cover. WI 68/5 after 19 overs.
Wide ball. That was too wide outside off, though Carter drove hard at it with no feet movement.
Mohit has continued Yadav and Shami's good work, though his pace is not the same.
Great short ball, perfect line and length, and Sammy swings out of the way.
OUT! Another short ball does another West Indies batsman in. Short ball, around throat height, just outside off. Simmons hooks and it lands safely in the hands of long leg. West Indies 67/5.
Over 18
Turn, bounce, rip. Carter decides to leave. WI 67/4 after 18 overs.
FOUR. Carter cuts hard, the ball flies past Raina who takes evasive action. Gavaskar questions the cowardice.
Cut sharply, but straight to point.
Ball turns and bounces, but Simmons takes his bat and his hand off at the correct moment.
Last over was a maiden. The first ball of the 18th over from Ashwin is played down to long on for one.
Over 16
FOUR. Swept square for four. End of the over, WI 61/4.
The second ball turns into Carter, bounces and he scores an uncomfortable single.
Gavaskar calls for a bat pad as the ball flies in that direction after taking the edge of Simmons' bat. I agree.
Over 15
West Indies 54/4 after 15 overs, and it's time for drinks.
Played to third man for one.
Driving length, Carter goes after it but there is swing and he misses. The crowd is disappointed.
Single off the first ball and then Carter easily leaves the second.
Over 14
Now Carter misses a sweep, Dhoni goes OOOOOOOO..West Indies 51/4 after 14 overs.
Floater. Turns into Carter, lots of bounce and Dhoni was appealing even before the ball had crashed into Carter's pads. Too high to be given out.
Ashwin is bowling seam up. John Carter swings and misses outside off stump.
Over 13
Is the ball starting to bounce a little less now? Single off the last ball, WI 49/4 after 13.
FOUR. Good length, just outside off, but Simmons plays a really quality backfoot stroke through point for four.
Mohit Sharma is into the attack, and he starts with a decent line outside off.
Over 12
Two off the Ashwin over. There were already some hints of uncomfortable bounce. WI 44/4 after 12 overs.
R Ashwin comes into the attack. He will get some bounce from this wicket. Not sure about turn.
Over 10
Pace, bounce, swing, hustle and disorder. End of the over, WI 38/4 after 10.
Lendl Simmons is the new batsman.
OUT! Driving length outside off, but Denesh Ramdin goes for an expansive drive and drags it on to the stumps!! WI 35/4.
Over 9
OUT! Gayle is gone. Short ball, chest high, almost throat high. Gayle goes for the pull, he miscues and mid wicket runs back to take a well-judged catch. Gayle is gone for 21. On the third chance. WI 35/3.
GOOD SHORT BALL. Called a wide! Now that is dubious. It seared into Gayle, straight, short and fast. Just went over head height and Gayle flinched as he abandoned the pull.
Perhaps Gayle has realised that he cannot survive on this wicket by defending. And he is almost proved right next ball. Too short, Gayle is down the track with a lot of room, swings hard and misses.
Gayle is now in full flow, all of a sudden. Good length ball on off from Shami and Gayle pulls it over midwicket for four.
Over 8
Aggressive single off the last ball. Very eventful over, as that cliched wonder Ravi Shastri would say. WI 28/2 after 8 overs.
SIX. Short ball, doesn't rise enough on off stump, and Gayle swings for six over deep midwicket.
DROPPED again. Now Shami drops off Yadav. Gayle gets an outside edge again and it flies to wide third man. Shami runs in and dives, but spills the catch.
FOUR. Poor ball, full outside off and Gayle swings over the mid off fielder for four.
OUT! That was a fascinating dismissal! Gayle tries to pull a short ball, miscues, the fielder from mid on rushes in but can't get to the ball. The ball bounces in front of him as he dives. He takes it on the bounce, and throws it quickly to the bowler's end. Samuels is way out of his crease, he is almost at the other end for the single that Gayle did not run. He is run out and the Indians exult. WI 15/2.
Yadav continues, with the ball. Can he make up?
Over 7
WI 14/1 after 7 overs.
Outside edge from Gayle, ball flies to third man, Umesh Yadav comes steaming in, flies to his right full length but can't hold on. It was a very, very difficult chance.
Next ball is wide.
The next ball is also pacy but too wide outside off to test Gayle, who leaves.
Now he cuts him in half, that beat Gayle for pace and swing. Gayle acknowledges the defeat. 1 off 13 and he is getting impatient.
Gayle comes down the track, goes for a big swing and misses. 1 off 12.
Wide ball from Shami. Graph shows India have hit the good length area hard.
Over 5
What a ball. Short, full of pace, Marlon Samuels has to sway out of the line. Classic bouncer. WI 8/1 after 5 overs.
OUT! This was coming. Pacy ball outside off, moves in a bit instead of going away. Smith got the nick to the keeper. WI 8/1.
Into the pads, but higher than usual, and Smith misses with the flick. Not comfortable at all.
Dwayne Smith is like a cat on a hot tin roof. He plays and misses again to a swinging ball outside off.
Over 4
Short ball into the ribs, Gayle pulls to square leg. No run. Another maiden. WI 6/0.
Three more searing deliveries from Umesh. India are using the conditions well in Perth.
Oooh...first ball from Umesh is pacy and swinging away. Cuts Gayle in half, that was close to the stumps
Over 3
Good length ball, Smith has a go, it's searing in. The crowd roars. WI 6/0 after 3 overs. That was a maiden.
Another short ball and again a failed pull. 0/4.
Short ball into the ribs from Shami, and hits Smith in the ribs. He was looking for the pull again. That's 0/3.
Over 2
Last ball tucks into Gayle who plays it defensively. WI 6/0 after 2 overs.
Fourth ball is tucked away to wide third man for one.
Swings outside off to a bad ball, but can't connect.
Short ball from Yadav, comes quickly onto Smith, and he tries to pull again. This time it falls short of mid on.
Over 1
Another good ball, though not as threatening as the last one. West Indies 5/0 after 1 over.
Beautiful delivery as Gayle pulls out of the drive, the ball swings away neatly and nearly takes the edge.
FOUR. Smith slashes hard outside off and gets four.
Ohh....Smith tries to pull a short ball, it gets high on him and hits the bat high up. It lands in no man's land.
It's time for the national anthems and Windies go first.
Now the Indian national anthem goes off, and the Indians in the crowd stand.
Shane Warne says the pitch is drier than the regular WACA wicket. But there is bounce and pace on offer. The team winning the toss should bat first, because the ball will seam under lights.
Some crazy Indian fans have built a 'Cricket Ganesha' temple for an Indian win against the Windies.
Shami comes in for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, says Dhoni. Shami was out injured.
Dhoni spins the coin, Holder calls heads and it's heads. West Indies bat first.
It time for the toss, and the legendary Ian Bishop is out in the middle with the two captains.
We are building up to the live match between India and West Indies. Just one and half hour to go for the match to start.
Clear blue sky in Perth
Both sides head to head:
Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the India v/s West Indies Pool B encounter from Perth. The day- night encounter will begin at 12.00 IST.
India have won all their matches so far. They have outclassed arch rival Pakistan, humbled mighty South Africa and blown away minnow UAE. West Indies on the other hand have had mixed fortune in this tournament so far. The boys from Caribbean have lost to Proteas and even suffered a humiliating defeat to Ireland. A win in today's match though will help them to virtually seal a spot in the Quarter finals as their next match is against UAE. Here is the complete match preview.
The last time these two teams played in a World Cup match Down Under, West Indies defeated India. But that was indeed a long time back and since then Men in Blue have consistently dominated the proceedings. Many believe it will be a battle between Indian top order v/s the pace battery of WIndies. The Indian batting line up is in fine form but they will be tested in a bouncy Perth pitch by Jason Holder and company. India will be wary of avoiding another end over collapse, which may end up costing them eventually.
World Cup 2015 India v/s West Indies Factbox
For West Indies, Chris Gayle remains the biggest source of inspiration and hope. He has been in indifferent form in recent times but scored big against Zimbabwe. However his performance against Indians hasn't been so great for nearly a decade. He last scored a ton against Indians way back in 2006 and in subsequent 19 innings he has scored only 450 runs including four ducks. But as we all know, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Hence Gayle will be the biggest threat to Team India as Dhoni himself predicted. The other lesser mortals will also like to shine against the defending champions to grab the limelight. In all West Indies is a tricky team which is perfectly capable of scripting upsets.
World Cup 2015: Which West Indies team will turn up against India?
Indian team is likely to go with an unchanged side though Mohammed Shami may replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The pitch may be bouncy but India will still play both Ashwin and Jadeja as West Indies batters are not known to be great player of spin bowling. Overall Indians are firm favourites, but since the match will be played in Perth, WIndies pacers may just barge into the equation to upset Men in Blue's applecart.
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