Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Captain Dhoni digs India out of a spot

March 06, 2015 21:14 IST

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hits the winning runs against the West Indies at the WACA in Perth on Friday

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hits the winning runs against the West Indies at the WACA in Perth on Friday. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

So here is why India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is our player of the day!

Dhoni made a calm unbeaten 45 to guide India to a four-wicket victory over West Indies on Friday which sent the holders into the World Cup quarter-finals.

- Scorecard

- Match report

India, chasing 183 for victory, won their fourth match in a row at the tournament after struggling on a pitch that was offering plenty of bounce for the tall West Indies fast bowlers.

India kept losing wickets during the chase before holding their nerve to get over the line with 65 balls to spare.

Dhoni showed why he is known as 'Captain Cool' and top- scored for his side, who were reduced to 107-5 at one stage.

- Dhoni credits bowlers for win

- The World Cup, as never before on Rediff.com

The right-hander added 27 for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (13) and an unbroken 51 for the seventh with Ravichandran Ashwin (16 not out) to take India home.

Virat Kohli also contributed with a confident 33 off 36 balls and added a crucial 43 for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane (14).

Jerome Taylor (2-33) dismissed openers Shikhar Dhawan (nine) and Rohit Sharma (seven) cheaply to boost West Indies' chances of defending the low score.