 | « Back to article | Print this article |
India survive Pollard blitz to seal victory
Kieron Pollard's brilliant maiden century went in vain as India beat the West Indies by 34 runs to win the fifth and final One-day and record an emphatic 4-1 series triumph in Chennai.
Electing to bat, on a track where the ball kept low, India posted a respectable 267 for six -- courtesy Manoj Tiwary's (104) first ODI century and a fine 80 by Virat Kohli.
The West Indies looked dead and buried before Pollard and Andre Russell revived visitors' hopes with an 83-run stand.
Pollard was the last man out as he tried to clear the long-off boundary, where Ajinkya Rahane took a smart catch off Suresh Raina's bowling.
India off to poor start
After Gautam Gambhir won the toss, India got off to the worst possible start, losing Ajinkya Rahane and Parthiv Patel in the first over to Kemar Roach.
Rahane was caught in front of the stumps, while Parthiv played one back on to his stumps, leaving India reeling at one for two.
Gambhir, Tiwary steady Indian innings
However, Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary rebuilt the Indian innings.
The duo mixed caution with aggression and put on an 83-run stand for the third wicket to revive India from a precarious position.
But just when things were looking good for India, Anthony Martins provided the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Gambhir for 31.
Tiwary registers maiden ODI ton
Manoj Tiwary took over the innings from there and along with Virat Kohli maintained the momentum as India looked set for a big score once again.
Kohli was the aggressive of the two, picking on the spinners with ease.
Meanwhile, Tiwary who was struggling with cramps in the latter part of the innings, reached the much-awaited milestone with a boundary. He, however, had to retire soon enough.
Kohli then continued his charge and looked set for his century. However, looking to clear the ropes, he was caught in the deep by Marlon Samuels for well-made 80.
Vital contributions from Rohit Sharma and Raina meant that India finished with 267-6.
Pathan strikes off the first ball
Irfan Pathan, making a comeback into the side, trapped Lendel Simmons off the first ball of the West Indies innings to push the visitors on the backfoot.
Abhimannyu Mithun, at the other end, dismissed Kieron Powell and Mohammad to leave the West Indies reeling.
And when Ravindra Jadeja trapped Denesh Ramdin leg before wicket, the West Indies were struggling at 78-5.
Powell, Russell punish Indian bowlers
Kieron Pollard then combined with Andre Russell, who used the long handle to good effect. Both were severe on the Indian spinners, Pollard striking three massive sixes in three overs.
Russell, at the other end, matched Pollard stroke for stroke, smashing part-time spinner Manoj Tiwary for a maximum.
Pollard registers maiden ODI hundred
Pollard farmed the strike as wickets fell around him, inching closer to his maiden hundred.
He could have been on his way back had Virat Kohli not dropped him on the boundary. The four brought up his century, much to the delight of the Trinidadian.
But Pollard perished in pursuit of victory, handing India a 4-1 series win.