India bounced back in the race for the tri-series final with a 102-run win over the hosts. PHOTO: AFP
India celebrated surging back into contention in the Tri-nation Series with a crushing 102-run victory over the West Indies in the fourth match at the Queen’s Park Oval.
At the bottom of the standings following defeats in Jamaica in their first two matches of the competition, the World Cup holders rebounded with a tremendous all-round effort in the sultry Trinidad conditions.
Batting first, Champions Trophy winners, India, amassed 311 for seven. They then earned a bonus point to go with the comprehensive win, bundling out the hosts for 171 after the West Indies were set a revised target of 274 off 39 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system following a rain interruption.
West Indies have little time to lick their wounds as they face Sri Lanka today before the preliminary phase of the series concludes on Tuesday with the Indians taking on the Sri Lankans.
Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli led from the front with an attacking innings of 102 – his 14th One-Day International century – in pacing India to their formidable total.
“More than my performance, I’m really happy that the team won, and with the bonus point to get back into contention,” said a delighted Kohli.
“When you’ve got three quality teams in a competition like this, you can expect turnarounds like what happened here.” Meanwhile, West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo lamented his side’s loss.
“Chasing 300 runs was never going to be an easy target, but I honestly felt we could have done a lot better,” said Bravo.
The captain has been suspended for one match after being fined a second time within 12 months for maintaining a slow over-rate.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2013.
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