Day 20 of the Cricket World Cup outlined again that low scoring matches can be just as entertaining as teams piling on 350+. Perth witnessed a nervy chase of 183 by India in the only game of the day. Check out our review of the bowler dominated match below:
Day 20 Results
India v West Indies
India made it to eight consecutive wins in Cricket World Cups by narrowly seeing off the West Indies in the closest thing to a scare they have experienced thus far. Chasing a paltry 183, India were flailing at 78 for 4 and 134 for 6, and facing an embarrassing defeat to a lazy and uninterested West Indies side. Enter MS Dhoni, captain cool, who steered his side to a 4 wicket win with an unbeaten 45* with the help of Ravi Ashwin (16*).
West Indies had earlier started their chase in the most bizarre fashion. Chris Gayle looked unfit and unable (or unwilling) to run singles, making it hard fro Dwayne Smith to get off strike, and hard for his side to build any momentum. When Smith nicked out, the running only got worse as Marlon Samuels joined Gayle, causing a ridiculous run-out and starting the rot which saw the West Indies limp to 85/7. Their thrown in the deep end captain, Jason Holder, made his second consecutive half century to add some respectability to the total, however, 182 never looked another.
Until India made hard work of their chase that is. Dhawan pushed at a widish ball from Jermone Taylor to provide the first glimmer of hope for the West Indies, and when Rohit Sharma received a quality outswinger from the same bowler the match looked alive.
Virat Kohli threatened to take the game away from the West Indies until he hooked Russell straight to long leg. Rahane, who we picked to take the man of the match honours fell to a controversial decision for the hundredth time on this Australia trip, but Dhoni was on hand to guide his side home and well on their way to the top qualification spot.
India still looking very strong and their perceived weakness, the bowling, has now won them three games in a row.
India 185 for 6 (Dhoni 45*) beat West Indies 182 (Holder 57, Shami 3-35) by 4 wickets
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