Chennai, March 20: Yuvraj Singh scored his first World Cup century against West Indies in the last group game of the 2011 ICC World Cup. Yuvraj’s knock of 113, could not, however, help India reach a big total as the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals towards the end of their innings.
Earlier, India captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. With Virender Sehwag not available for selection owing to a knee allergy, Suresh Raina came into the playing eleven while R Ashwin was brought in for Ashish Nehra. West Indies, too, made a couple of changes, bringing in Kirk Edwards for Chris Gayle and Ravi Rampaul in place of Kemar Roach.
Chennai fans hoping to see Sachin Tendulkar bring up his 100th international century were in for a disappointment as Tendulkar (2) edged a Ravi Rampaul delivery to wicketkeeper Devon Thomas in the very first over of the innings. Although umpire Steve Davis ruled Tendulkar not out, the master batsman decided to walk back of his own accord.
Gautam Gambhir, opening the innings in Sehwag’s absence, played a handy knock of 22 (off 26 balls) but got out trying to up the scoring rate. The left-handed batsman tried to hit Rampaul over the off-side but only ended up getting a thick edge off his bat, Andre Russell completing a comfortable catch at third man. India were 51 for two in 8.3 overs at this stage.
However, Yuvraj and Virat Kohli did not give the West Indies any further opportunities. The two batsmen struck an effective 122-run partnership for the third wicket that saw Kohli reach yet another half-century in ODIs. Kohli (59) was eventually bowled by Rampaul as he looked to hit the pacer over mid-wicket. At the fall of Kohli’s wicket, India were looking good for a big score with the scoreboard reading 173 for three in 32.2 overs.
Yuvraj, battling dehydration in the Chennai heat, then lifted Indian spirits bringing up his 13th ODI century when he hit Kieron Pollard for a single to long-off in the 41st over of the Indian innings.
However, like in the previous game against South Africa where India lost nine wickets for 29 runs, the hosts once again failed to close their innings with a bang. Including MS Dhoni’s stumping, with the score at 218 in 41.4 overs, India lost their last seven wickets for just 50 runs in 7.4 overs. Ravi Rampaul led the late West Indies fight-back – his best ever ODI figures of five for 51 helped restrict India to a score of 268 all out in 49.1 overs
Brief score: India 268 all out in 49.1 overs (Yuvraj Singh 113, Virat Kohli 59, Ravi Rampaul 5/51)
