Champions Trophy: India book berth in semis

Shikhar Dhawan's classy unbeaten 102 led India to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over West Indies on Tuesday and a place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Dhawan continued his impressive form to guide his team to their target of 234 with more than 10 overs to spare in the Group B match at the Oval and confirm Pakistan's elimination from the tournament.

West Indies made 233 for nine thanks largely to an explosive innings of 56 not out off 35 balls by Darren Sammy who smashed four sixes and five fours in the last four overs to lift his side to a respectable total.

"It was a very good performance, they got off to a good start in the first 10 overs but our bowlers did well to get back into the game and getting regular wickets was the key as it built up pressure," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said at the presentation ceremony.

"Shikhar did well for us and changing into a really good fielding side has helped."

Dhoni won the toss and put West Indies into bat in overcast conditions.

Chris Gayle struck four powerful boundaries but the West Indies dangerman was out for 21, well caught at first slip by a leaping Ravichandran Ashwin off pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

Johnson Charles started timing the ball sweetly and dominated a second-wicket partnership of 78 with Darren Bravo.

Charles hit eight fours and two towering sixes, reaching his fifty from 46 balls before being deceived by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and trapped lbw for 60.

Jadeja then removed Marlon Samuels lbw and had Ramnaresh Sarwan caught by wicketkeeper Dhoni down the leg side to rip the heart out of the West Indies batting order.

Bravo made 35 and his half brother Dwayne 25 but West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals and looked likely to be bowled out for under 200.

Sammy was joined by Kemar Roach with the score on 182 for nine in the 46th over and the former captain launched a withering assault on the Indian bowlers.

BOUNDARY BURST

He bludgeoned a succession of boundaries mainly straight down the ground and the pair added 51 with Roach not contributing a single run.

Man-of-the-match Jadeja claimed two more wickets to complete excellent figures of five for 36, his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals.

"Not enough runs," captain Dwayne Bravo said. "We wanted at least 40-50 runs more. You've got to give credit to the Indians, they bowled well. It was poor shot selection. We lost our way."

India started quickly in reply and openers Dhawan, who made 114 in the opening match of the tournament against South Africa, and Rohit Sharma shared a fluent century partnership in just 16 overs.

Sharma reached his 50, including seven fours, but he was out for 52 edging spinner Sunil Narine to stand-in wicketkeeper Charles.

Virat Kohli struck four sweet fours before he was bowled by Narine for 22 but Dhawan, who survived two dropped catches, batted beautifully, punishing short balls with wristy cuts and pulls and driving smoothly through the covers.

After a brief interruption for rain with India on 204 for two, Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik extended their third-wicket partnership to 109 to steer India home.

Dhawan reached his second one-day international century with an extravagant cut for six off Dwayne Bravo and Karthik hit the winning boundary to finish unbeaten on 51.

West Indies must beat South Africa in their final match to join India in the semi-finals.

"It's like a final itself," Bravo said. "The destiny in our own hands. We know it's not going to be an easy game but we have the talent in our group. I'll try and get my guys pumped up for it."

INDIA INNINGS

India romped to an eight-wicket win over West Indies in the Champions Trophy Group B clash at The Oval in London on Tuesday to become the first team to book their berth in the semifinals. Chasing a target of 234, India cruised to their second victory of the competition with more than 10 overs to spare with a superlative batting display making 236 for the loss of two wickets.

Shikhar Dhawan led the way with a magnificent unbeaten 102, his third consecutive international hundred, during an unfinished third wicket stand of 109 with Dinesh Karthik who was unbeaten on 51 which included eight boundaries.

Rohit Sharma gave them the ideal start with a brisk knock of 52 during the 101-run opening stand with Dhawan.

Narine claimed both the wickets to fall, including Kohli (22).

But Dhawan, who got a life early in the innings, flayed the attack smashing 10 boundaries, reaching his century in style by hammering a six off Bravo.

Karthik hit the winning runs driving Pollard through the covers for a boundary to reach his half century.

Dhawan reaches his century in style smashing Dwayne Bravo over third man for a six for his second consecutive hundred.

India are racing to victory with Karthik hitting boundaries off Bravo and Pollard.

Karthik opens with a boundary off Pollard as play resumes after a rain delay.

The players have come onto the field and play is set to resume with no overs  being lost despite the brief delay.

Play has been suspended because of rain with the covers coming on. Ind 204-2 in 35.1 overs.

India need just 30 for victory with Dhawan unbeaten on 92 and Karthik on 29 having added 77 runs for the unfinished third wicket.

Karthik brings up the 200 of the innings with a cracking square cut off Bravo. Ind 203-2 in 35 overs.

India are cruising along merrily with the asking rate just three runs an over with the 50 partnership between Dhawan and Karthik coming up. Ind 175-2 in 29 overs.

Dhawan is on fire cracking consecutive boundaries off Roach. Ind 150-2 in 23 overs.

Karthik is successful with a review overturning the decision after being given out caught behind off Rampaul. Ind 132-2 in 21 overs.

Narine strikes a major blow bowling the dangerous Kohli. Ind 127-2.

V Kohli b Narine 22 (18b 4x4 0x6)

Kohli hits another boundary off Narine through the covers. Ind 113-1 in 18 overs.

Kohli opens his account with a boundary off the first ball he faced from Narine. Ind 106-1 in 16 overs.

Narine strikes getting the first breakthrough for West Indies as Sharma departs caught behind on the legside. Ind 101-1.

West Indies are successful after a decision review.

R Sharma c Charles b Narine 52 (56b 7x4 0x6)

Sharma completes his half century off 52 balls with seven boundaries.

Sharma is on fire and racing to his half century cracking two more boundaries off Dwayne Bravo. Ind 92-0 in 14 overs.

India have got off to a solid start chasing a target of 234 with Dhawan (36) and Sharma (29) batting fluently. Ind 66-0 in 10 overs.

Dhawan goes on the offensive against Sammy with a cracking square drive to the point fence. Ind 59-0 ij 9 overs.

Another big over for India as Sharma cracks a couple of boundaries off Roach. Ind 48-0 in 7 overs.

Sharma is on song stroking Roach beautifully through the covers for another boundary.

Dhawan cracks another off Rampaul to third man. Ind 37-0 in 6 overs.

A good over for India with Sharma and Dhawan hitting a boundary apiece off Roach. Ind 32-0 in 5 overs.

Dhawan gets his first boundary smashing Rampaul over point. Ind 22-0 in 4 overs.

Sharma hits the first boundary of the innings punching Roach past backward of point. Ind 5-0 in 1 over.

WEST INDIES INNINGS

West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy smashed a rapid unbeaten 56 to lift his side to a respectable 233 for nine in their Champions Trophy Group B match against India at the Oval on Tuesday.

India spinner Ravindra Jadeja had ripped the heart out of the innings by dismissing Johnson Charles for 60, Marlon Samuels and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of 14 balls but Sammy's late cameo gave West Indies hope.

Both sides won their opening matches in the tournament and a second victory would mean almost certain qualification for the semi-finals.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and put West Indies into bat in overcast conditions.

Chris Gayle struck four powerful boundaries but the West Indies dangerman was out for 21, well caught at first slip by Ravichandran Ashwin off pace bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

Charles seized the initiative, however, and dominated a second-wicket partnership of 78 with Darren Bravo.

Charles hit eight fours and two towering sixes, reaching his fifty from 46 balls before being deceived by Jadeja and trapped lbw.

The left-arm spinner then removed Samuels lbw and had Sarwan caught by wicketkeeper Dhoni down the leg side.

Bravo and his half brother Dwayne tried to repair the damage but the former, having set himself to bat through the innings, rashly charged down the wicket to Ashwin and was easily stumped by Dhoni for 35.

Kieron Pollard struck successive sixes off Ashwin but Dwayne Bravo was out for 25 and the Indian fast bowlers turned the screw in the closing overs.

They looked likely to keep West Indies below 200 until Sammy launched his withering assault, hitting four sixes and five fours mainly straight down the ground.

Sammy faced just 35 balls and shared an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 51 with Kemar Roach who did not contribute a single run.

Jadeja also claimed the wickets of Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul on the way to figures of five for 36, his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals.

West Indies made 233-9 in 50 thanks to blistering unbeaten half century from former skipper Darren Sammy who smashed five boundaries and four sixes in his 35-ball 56.

Put into bat, they were given a sound start by Jonathan Charles who hit a fluent 60 off 55 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes.

Darren Bravo made a painstaking 35 off 83 ball as West Indies struggled in the middle overs to the pace-spin combination of India.

Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja caused the damage claiming five wickets for 36 before Sammy's blitzkreig in the last four overs which yielded 51 runs.

Sammy completes his half century in style off just 32 balls with a six off Jadeja.

Sammy goes berserk smashing a couple of boundaries and a sixes off Sharma in the 19th over which goes for 21.

Jadeja claims his fifth wicket bowling Rampaul. WI 182-9.

R Rampaul b Jadeja 2 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Jadeja claims his fourth wicket as West Indies crumble. WI 179-8.

S Narine c Karthik b Jadeja 2 (8b 0x4 0x6)

West Indies suffer another blow as Pollard depart with eight overs remaining. WI 171-7.

K Pollard c Kumar b I Sharma 22 (32b 0x4 2x6)

West Indies manage just 24 runs for the loss of Bravo in the Batting Powerplay overs. WI 165-6 in 40 overs.

Yadav strikes as Bravo holes out to Jadeja. WI 163-6.

D Bravo c Jadeja b Yadav 25 (40b 3x4 0x6)

Pollard smashes two consecutive sixes off Ashwin in the first over of the Batting Powerplay. WI 154-5 in 36 overs.

Darren Bravo's laboured knock comes to an end as Ashwin strikes. WI 140-5.

D Bravo st Dhoni b Ashwin 35 (83b 2x4 0x6)

Jadeja gets his third wicket as Sarwan gets out cheaply again caught behind by Dhoni. WI 109-4.

R Sarwan c Dhoni b Jadeja 1 (6b 0x4 0x6)

Jadeja strikes again with Samuels being adjudged leg before with India being successful with a decision review after the original decision was not out.  WI 105-3.

M Samuels lbw b Jadeja 1 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Jadeja strikes trapping Charles leg before to break the second wicket stand of 78. WI 103-2.

J Charles lbw b Jadeja 60 (55b 7x4 2x6)

Charles slams a boundary and towering six off Aswhin to bring up the 100 of the innings in the 19th over.

Charles hits the first six of the match smashing Kohli over extra cover and completes his half century off 46 balls with a single. WI 92-1 in 17 overs.

Kohli bowls a good over after surprisingly being brought into the attack by Dhoni.

Ashwin into the attack in the 12th over and Charles survives a tough caught and bowl attempt. WI 67-1 in 12 overs.

Charles is on fire caressing Kumar through the covers for another boundary. WI 63-1 in 11 overs.

Charles is on fire cracking three consecutive boundaries off Yadav who goes for 13 in his second over. WI 55-1 in 10 overs.

Charles takes on Kumar smashing a couple of boundaries. WI 42-1 in 9 overs.

Darren Bravo gets a boundary off Kumar pushing him through mid-on. WI 31-1 in 7 overs.

Ashwin takes a superb overhead catch at slip as Gayle perishes edging Kumar after having cracked four boundaries. WI 25-1.

C Gayle c Ashwin b Kumar 21 (18b 4x4 0x6)

Gayle slams Sharma down the ground for another boundary. WI 18-0 in 4 overs.

Gayle hits the first boundary of the match pulling Yadav to midwicket. WI 12-0 in 2 overs.

Kumar bowls a good opening over conceding just a single. WI 1-0 in 1 over.

India have won the toss and put West Indies into bat in a key Champions Trophy Group B clash at The Oval in London on Tuesday.

India field an unchanged side while Sammy comes in place of Ramdin with Johnson Charles keeping wicket.

PLAYING XI

India - S Dhawan, R Sharma, V Kohli, D Karthik, S Raina, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, I Sharma, B Kumar, U Yadav

West Indies - C Gayle, J Charles, D Bravo, M Samuels, R Sarwan, D Bravo, K Pollard, D Sammy, S Narine, K Roach, R Rampaul

Pakistan will be following this match closely as they are on the brink of exit having lost to West Indies and South Africa.

Pakistan will qualify only if West Indies win both their remaining matches and Pakistan beat India.

Then Pakistan, India and SA will all have one win each, bringing NRR into play.

If any of those results don't happen Pakistan are out.

MATCH PREVIEW

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni insisted on Monday his Champions Trophy squad was not distracted by the spot-fixing row back home.

Indian cricket was thrown into chaos last month after three players, including recent Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, were arrested over allegations of spot-fixing during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Two team officials, Gurunath Meiyappan of Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings, and Raj Kundra of the Rajasthan Royals, were also suspended from cricket-related activities for betting on matches.

Although the players and officials have denied any wrongdoing, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is busy taking measures to ensure the IPL does not lose further credibility.

Dhoni, preparing for Tuesday's key Champions Trophy match at the Oval in London, said the entire squad were staying away from the ongoing controversy.

“We don't read newspapers, so whatever is happening back home is happening back home,” he said. “We just practise and play to the best of our abilities.

“Those are things in our control and helps to improve our game.”

India have looked impressive so far in the tournament, beating South Africa by 26 runs in their first match in Cardiff after posting a commanding 331-7.

With the West Indies having defeated Pakistan by two wickets at the Oval, the winner on Tuesday is almost certain to take one of the two semi-final berths from group B.

India, the reigning World Cup champions, have won eight of their last 11 one-dayers against the West Indies over the past three years, but victory cannot be taken for granted.

Dhoni knows the bowlers will have to deliver against a line-up that includes match-winning batsmen like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard.

“The Gayle factor will always be there,” the Indian captain said. “He is an individual who has a big impact on the game. It's always good to get him out early.

“With a new ball at either end, overcast conditions and a bit of help from the wicket, our fast bowlers will have a fair chance to get him.

“If you don't get batsmen like Chris Gayle out early, most likely he will take you out of the game.”

Dhoni said the Oval pitch was the same on which the West Indies lost eight wickets while trying to surpass Pakistan's 170, adding that the bowlers could dominate again.

“It has a bit of a grass covering and there was bounce in the last game, so fast bowlers will get help,” he said. “But since we are playing on a used wicket, the spinners could get some more turn.”

Dhoni said he was a huge fan of one-day cricket since it was a mix of Test and Twenty20 formats, but did not favour constant changes in rules.

“We are trying to make a one-dayer like a T20 game,” he said. “Too many changes can actually spoil the recipe at times.”

Recent rule changes include the posting of just four fielders outside the inner circle, encouraging batsmen to play big shots in the wide empty areas in the outfield.
 

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