India is on the brink of elimination from the ICC World Twenty20. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men, chasing 170, went down to the West Indies by 14 runs in a vital Group `F' match of the Super Eights at the Kensington Oval on Sunday.
India can progress to the semifinals — on net run-rate — only in the event of three teams finishing with a win each. The side faces a must-win situation against Sri Lanka in St. Lucia on Tuesday and then must hope for the other results to go its way.
India, behind on the chase for most part, seldom looked like surmounting the West Indian total. The innings was poorly paced.
India, losing wickets at regular intervals, could not even capitalise on a no-ball (foot fault resulting in a free hit) and four wides sent down by Kemar Roach in the 19th over.
Dhoni kept India in the frame with a enterprising 18-ball 29 but when he perished to a direct hit to the non-striker's end from Dwayne Bravo at long-on at the start of the 19th over, the contest was all but decided.
Yusuf Pathan threatened briefly before he was, predictably, prised out by a short-pitched delivery — the ball was directed into his chest — by Jerome Taylor.
The West Indies was guided to a challenging 169 for six by skipper Chris Gayle's responsible yet strokeful 66-ball 98. Gayle was adjudged Man of the Match.
For inexplicable reasons, the think-tank retained Ravindra Jadeja in the eleven at the cost of a third paceman. Jadeja went for runs as India bled runs at a critical stretch of the West Indian innings.
It was also beyond comprehension why India should opt to field first when the side had only two pacemen in the eleven. The Indian tactics in this competition have been bizarre.
Openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay, were up against some well-directed short-pitched bowling at the start.
The West Indians got their game-plan right.
The left-right duo was unable to force the pace and Vijay, eventually, succumbed to increasing pressure. He pulled paceman Darren Sammy only to see Kieron Pollard plucking a fine low catch at deep square-leg.
Kemar Roach, operating with pace and fire, showed why he is such an exciting prospect. He delivered a brute of a short-pitched delivery that was gloved by Gambhir to 'keeper Denesh Ramdin.
Jerome Taylor, bowling with pace and precision, gave little away.
India slipped into further trouble. Rohit Sharma, attempting to paddle Pollard, was adjudged caught behind. Rohit stood his ground, arguing that the ball had come off his forearm but was asked to leave by the umpires.
Left-handers Suresh Raina, who promised much, and Yuvraj Singh holed out attempting to accelerate after the side's sluggish beginning. The Indians lost their way once again.
Earlier, the Indians would rue the missed opportunity when captain Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan collided while attempting to hold a sitter after Gayle (on 46) had skied left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra. Gayle cashed in.
Given, the West Indies batting collapse against the Sri Lankans, the West Indies was rather circumspect at the beginning. Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul provided a platform for the side.
The West Indians blazed away between overs 16 to 19 rattling up 49 runs before Nehra, once again excelling at the death with his pace, full length and swing, sent down an terrific last over.
While Gayle powered his side, there was some heavy-hitting from the other end by Darren Sammy — his expansive cover-drive off Zaheer Khan was a gem — and Kieron Pollard.
The West Indies lost a clutch of wickets in the last two overs — Gayle, going for a second run, was run-out in a close decision — but had put enough runs on the board to make the Indians sweat on the chase.
The Indian catching was forgettable — Jadeja put down Chanderpaul at short fine-leg off Yusuf Pathan — and the side missed a fifth specialist bowler.
