India Seals Quarters Fight with Australia as Yuvraj Shines

Monday, March 21st, 2011 at 10:34 am , filed under World Cup 2011 by Forrester Gavin

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India won their last group match and they will face Australia in quarter finals in their way to World Cup. India defeated West Indies with 80 runs and finished second in Group B of ICC World Cup 2011.

India won the toss and elected to bat first, India left out Virender Sehwag as he was injured and Ashish Nehra was rested. Suresh Raina and R Ashwin have given a chance to prove them. West Indies also went in with two changes as they rested Chris Gayle and Kemar Roach. India started their innings with Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir. As usually India opened their account with four but this time it was not of the bat and it was wide that yielded four runs.

A lot expected from the Sachin Tendulkar to score his 100 international centuries but he was dismissed early. Sachin proved why he was true gentlemen of sports; he edged a ball of Rampaul to wicketkeeper umpire was just shaking his head by then Sachin started walking to pavilion. Gambhir Played well for his 22 as he top edged to Russell in the bowling of Rampaul. Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kholi laid a strong foundation for India as they both added 122 runs for third wicket.

Virat Kholi scored his half century and Yuvraj Singh scored his first World Cup century. India’s middle order failed to capitalize the start given by Yuvraj and Kholi, likes of Yusuf, Raina and Dhoni disappointed the home crowd as they were departed early in hunt for quick runs. Finally, India was bowled out for 268 runs in 49.1 overs.

West Indies bowling attack was lead by Ravi Rampaul, he dictated the terms as he got rid of Tendulkar with a gem of a delivery. Ravi Rampaul has taken five wickets, Andrew Russell has taken two wickets and Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Devendra Bishoo have shared a wicket each.

West Indies began their proceedings with Devon Smith and Krik Edwards, the pair looked so comfortable until the introduction of Ashwin as he wrapped Edwards (17) infront of stumps. India has tasted the first wicket in the seventh over and has waited patiently for batsmen to play false short. Darren Bravo looked aggressive against spinners and went after part-timer Suresh Raina and hold out at long on by Harbhajan.

The crucial wicket of Devon Smith (81) was taken by Zaheer Khan; he was unplayable with his reverse swing. Indian bowlers bowled beautiful line to build pressure, spinners have taken six wickets. West Indies were 152/2 at one stage and finished at 188 all out, there was a collapse in the batting line up of West Indies. Zaheer Khan bagged three wickets, Yuvraj Singh and R Ashwin took two wickets each and Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina have settled with one wicket each.

Yuvraj Singh was judged as Man of The Match for his all round performance. This is his third man of the match trophy in ICC World Cup 2011.

Tags: Australia, ICC World Cup 2011, Ind vs WI, India vs West Indies, Yuvraj Singh