West Indies wasted a good fielding performance while managing to lose again to India, this time by 20 runs, in another close ODI yesterday. Batting first, the Indians were restricted to 189 all out in 48.2 overs. However, the Windies could not overhaul that total as a combination of tight bowling, senseless strokeplay and careless run outs precipitated their demise.
Aided by early wickets from Daren Powell, the Chris Gayle led Windies had India reeling at 69 for 6, and with Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Dhoni back in the hut, the Indians were facing a paltry score.
However an inspired knock of 63 by Dinesh Karthik, whose previous ODI high was 17, led India to a total of 189. While not an imposing score, a West Indies capitulation is always in the cards, and as the old saying goes "runs on the board are runs that must be scored" - runs that the Windies could not muster.
When West Indies came to bat, the innings got off to a poor start as Chris Gayle was dismissed LBW in the second over to Ajit Agarkar. Devon Smith then was run out at 41/2 - sent back by Chanderpaul while looking for a second run. Smith then stumbled and fell half way down the pitch leading to an easy run out. Chanderpaul received little support the rest of the way and was top scorer again with a last man out 67 - leaving the West Indies all out at 169 in 48.2 overs.
The third match will be played in Chennai this Saturday, January 27. This Indian victory marked the first time in over seven months that the team had won two consecutive ODIs. The West Indies will have to improve their play for the third match.
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Fri, 26/01/2007 - 4:56pm
It must be said that West Indies fell victim to two poor decisions by Indian umpire Amiesh Saheba. Sourav Ganguly nicked Jerome Taylor through to Ramdin when he had scored 5, but Saheba ruled the batsman not out. With pad nowhere near bat, this can only be seen as an elementary error. Ganguly didn't capitalize on the mistake as he was eventually dismissed for 13. However, the second error could have been the match winner for India. Chris Gayle was adjudicated LBW on 5, even though replays show that the delivery struck bat first.
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