India scored a 14 run win in the initial contest of their 4 match series against West Indies in Nagpur on Sunday. Set 339 to win after the Indians scored at will from their 50 overs, West Indies were led by a sublime and unbeaten 149 from opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul. His second highest one-day score left his team 14 runs short of their target after the last ball was bowled.
India were buoyed by the return of Sourav Ganguly to their one-day side. Ganguly, following up on a successful return to the test team against South Africa, opened the Indian innings with a blistering 98 from 110 deliveries. India also received half centuries from Gambhir, Dhoni and captain Dravid. The run spree was further catalyzed by the West Indian bowlers who managed to stray to the tune of 11 wides. The disciplined nature of the West Indies bowling in recent one-day tournaments was nowhere to be found on Sunday, as even the typically miserly Ian Bradshaw went for 43 from his 6 overs. The worst of the lot was Dwayne Bravo who was torched for 41 from 4 overs. Captain Lara seems enamoured with bowling Bravo at the death, however this time Bravo's speed changes and swing were dispersed to all parts of the ground with ease.
Chanderpaul and Gayle began the run chase in style, adding 80 for the first wicket before Gayle fell for 52 in the 13th over, having been outfoxed by Harbhajan. Both Lara and Samuels added useful partnerships with Chanderpaul, but each failed to capitalize on good starts and go on to make a big score. Chasing 339 for victory, West Indies needed the types of contributions that India received from the likes of Dhoni and Dravid at the end of their innings. Instead, a bevy of West Indian wickets in the latter parts of the innings hindered any chance that Chanderpaul could lead them to the improbable victory.
West Indies now move onto Cuttack where they will look to level the series in a day/night contest.
The 338 scored by India in this match tied the highest total ever conceded by the West Indies in an ODI. They conceded 338 against Australia in Melbourne of February 2001.
Result - India win by 14 runs
Man of the Match - Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Centuries - Chanderpaul [149 n.o.]
50s - Ganguly [98], Gambhir [69], Dhoni [62 n.o.], Dravid [54 n.o.]
- 2690 reads
Sun, 21/01/2007 - 2:54pm
We have to get our bowling sorted out. We can't be giving the opposition 11 wides in an ODI and expect to win. The bowling has improved in recent times, so hopefully this was an aberration. Congratulations to Chanderpaul on his unbeaten 149.
Sun, 21/01/2007 - 4:25pm
I'm inclined to believe it was an aberration. From all reports, the pitch was a bit of a belter and offered little or nothing for the bowlers. It's fascinating to watch Chanderpaul in the shortened version of the game these days bat so belligerently, especially since he started out with a reputation of being a scratchy batsmen who accumulated moreso than punished.
Sun, 21/01/2007 - 6:15pm
The pitch at Nagpur has enjoyed run-feasts in the past. The curator of the pitch said before the match that "even 300 may not be enough" - according to this CricInfo article. The 11 wides still are inexcusable. Hopefully they will improve for Wednesday's game.
Post new comment