India on course for quarters after Windies collapse

06 March 2015 11:01

Defending champions India were heading for the quarter-finals of the World Cup after dismissing the West Indies for just 182 all out in their Pool B clash in Perth.

India, who'd won all three of their previous group games, ripped through the West Indies' top order after losing the toss at the WACA ground.

The West Indies were in dire straits at 85 for seven before a fighting 57 from captain Jason Holder - no other batsman made more than 26 -- and some shoddy Indian fielding saw them rally to score 182.

It didn't look enough, but at least gave the West Indians bowlers a total to defend.

Holder's highest score in one-day internationals was just 22 until the West Indies' previous match against South Africa, but he posted consecutive half-centuries with some clean hitting.

He was the last man to fall, caught at long-on by Virat Kohli off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja (two for 27), having faced 64 balls and hit four fours and three sixes.

Holder's recovery mission was assisted by India also dropping four catches, including two simple chances.

Opener Chris Gayle's ugly innings of 21 at the top of the order set the tone for a number of the West Indian batsmen, who were seemingly content to gift their opponents cheap dismissals as India's title defence continued to gather momentum.

Gayle appeared to hold the key to his side posting a big total against India, and there were danger signs when he struggled to get bat on ball early, playing and missing repeatedly against opening bowlers Umesh Yadav (two for 42) and Mohammed Shami (three for 35).

Despite losing partner Dwayne Smith for just six, continuing his lean tournament, Gayle reverted to type when he tried to hit his way out of trouble.

He played a couple of big shots, but was also dropped on the boundary twice in quick succession.

Another near chance ended with the run out of non-striker Marlon Samuels (two), after big left-hander Gayle didn't respond to his partner's call for a single.

Gayle's own luck ran out when he lofted another shot high to the boundary, where Mohit Sharma completed the catch from the bowling of the returning Shami.

His departure left the West Indies reeling at 35 for three and Denesh Ramdin was bowled by Yadav from the very next ball.

Source: AFP