West Indies scrambled to a one-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare over India in the second match of the Celkon Mobile Cup Tri-Nation One-Day International Series at Sabina Park on Sunday.
Birthday boy Kemar Roach and last man Tino Best ensured the West Indies did not complete their own destruction, turning in match saving performances.
The home side had to reply to the World Cup and Champions Trophy holders’ total of 229/7. They tottered from the comfort of 142/3 in the 28th over via a rash of irresponsible shots, even with Johnson Charles battling to hold the innings together. However, the opening batsman joined the apparent suicide pact: he was eighth out for 97 and when Sunil Narine also gifted his wicket at 220/9.
It was left to the Barbadian fast bowling pair of Roach — on his 25th birthday — and Best to see the West Indies home amid in a nail-biting finish. India was deprived of the calming influence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the field after the captain was hobbled while batting by a suspected right hamstring strain. But, under the supervision of Virat Kohli, the visitors refused to give up, even when Charles and Darren Bravo (55) appeared to be tilting the balance decisively the home team’s way.
Their fourth-wicket partnership of 116 lifted the Caribbean side from the early discomfort of 26/3. Umesh Yadav, who removed the dangerous Chris Gayle, and Devon Smith in his opening burst, added the important wicket of Charles to keep his team’s hopes alive in the match. He finished with the best figures of 3/43. West Indies were themselves without their regular captain throughout the match. With Dwayne Bravo was sidelined with a groin strain, it was Kieron Pollard took the reins of leadership.
Ravi Rampaul also missed out with a twisted ankle, but as it turned out his replacement Best played a key role in the win. He claimed the wickets of Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja near the end of the Indian innings before returning to ensure his team scraped over the line.