Dhawan stars as first India-West Indies ODI called off

Rain spoils the fun as West Indies-India series starts with a no-result

PORT OF SPAIN: Shikhar Dhawan extended his excellent Champions Trophy form to the start of the West Indies tour but heavy rain forced the abandonment of the opening ODI at the Queen's Park Oval on Friday.

Dhawan stroked an assured 87 and featured in an opening stand of 132 with Ajinkya Rahane (62) as the tourists reached 199-3 off 39.2 batting first when torrential midday showers curtailed their innings and no further play was possible.

A no-result was declared in late afternoon when it became clear that prevailing conditions would not allow for a minimum 20 overs to be faced by the West Indies to constitute a match.

After West Indies captain Jason Holder chose to field on winning the toss on a bright warm morning, India's openers laid the foundation for a formidable total.

They dominated a bowling attack that lacked genuine potency in the absence of injured fast-bowler Shannon Gabriel, who has been ruled out of consideration for the first two ODIs after breaking down during the series against Afghanistan two weeks earlier.

Rahane made the most of his opportunity with Rohit Sharma rested following a fruitful Champions Trophy.  The right-hander was first to the half-century mark but was also the first wicket to fall, deceived by a slower delivery from Alzarri Joseph on.

Dhawan was then joined by captain Virat Kohil but fell leg-before to Devendra Bishoo 13 runs short of the landmark.

As the skies clouded over India lost another wicket in attempting to accelerate with Yuvraj Singh becoming Joseph's second wicket.

Kohli and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were playing with greater urgency when the showers first arrived.

Cricket resumed after half an hour but only eight deliveries later, the players were again chased off the field by a heavy downpour. Despite the best efforts of the groundstaff and the umpires, no further play was possible.

The second match of the five-game series takes place at the same venue on Sunday.