NEW
DELHI: Reaffirming his status as one of the best finishers of the game,
captain MS Dhoni led India to a four-wicket victory against the West
Indies in their World Cup Pool B match at the WACA in Perth on Friday.
Scorecard | As it happened
With this victory, India booked their quarterfinal berth in the World
Cup, as Mohammed Shami was chosen the Man of the match for taking three
wickets in his eight overs.
Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015
Dhoni, who arrived at the crease when India were in a spot of bother at
78/4, curbed his natural instincts and steadied the Indian innings
taking calculated singles, while hitting a six and three fours in his
45-run knock that came off 56 balls.
India's run chase got off
to a poor start as they lost Shikhar Dhawan in the fifth over edging a
Jerome Taylor delivery to second slip for Darren Sammy to take the
catch.
Taylor then dismissed Rohit Sharma in his next over having him caught behind by Denesh Ramdin.
Virat Kohli hit five fours in his 36-ball 33 before he mistimed an
Andre Russell delivery to deep square leg for Marlon Samuels to take the
catch.
India lost their fourth wicket when Ajinkya Rahane
edged a Kemar Roach delivery to keeper Ramdin. On field umpire Nigel
Llong adjudged Rahane out who promptly asked for a review and even
though snickometer showed no edge, Rahane was adjudged out.
Suresh Raina, his weakness against short-pitched deliveries well known,
was welcomed with a barrage of bouncers. Raina stood up to the challenge
hitting two good fours, before Dwayne Smith had him caught behind by
Ramdin.
Russell took his second wicket when he had Ravindra
Jadeja caught by Samuels at deep square leg to be reduced to 134/6 in
29.3 overs.
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ReutersAn Indian cricket fan waves the national flag during the semifinal against Australia in Sydney on Thursday.
