November 16 Saturday 2002
Dravid inspires India to reach huge target

AHMEDABAD, India: Rahul Dravid cracked a masterly unbeaten century as India pulled off the third-highest successful run chase in one-day history to beat West Indies by five wickets on Friday.

Set 325 to win after Chris Gayle had hammered 140 and Ramnaresh Sarwan a career-best unbeaten 99, India rallied around Dravid as he built key partnerships before a final onslaught by unlikely hero Sanjay Bangar.

The 30-year-old Bangar, who had grafted for hours to score runs in the recent test series against West Indies, came up with his most memorable knock, hammering 57 off just 41 balls for his maiden one-day international half-century. Things had looked ominous when he walked in at 231 for five in the 38th over, but Bangar cracked five fours and two sixes to take India to victory with 14 balls to spare.

Dravid, who raised his eighth one-day century in the 47th over, struck eight fours in his 124-ball knock of 109 which featured a third-wicket stand of 103 with Vangipurappu Laxman (66), and 94 for the sixth with Bangar.

The victory was reminiscent of India's 326-run chase, the second-highest in history, against England at Lord's earlier this year in the final of a triangular tournament also involving Sri Lanka. The seven-match series is now tied at 2-2 after four games.