November 22
Dravid, Yuvraj, Bangar lead India to tense win

JODHPUR: Stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid led from the front with a valuable 58 as India pulled off a series levelling three-wicket win in the sixth one-day international against West Indies on Thursday.

Dravid's 42nd one-day half-century could not have come at a better time for India, who were reeling at 26 for two in reply to West Indies' 201, when he walked to the crease.

The hosts were soon 48 for three but left-hander Yuvraj Singh, who struck 54 for his eighth half-century, and Dravid then rescued India with a 99-run stand for the fourth wicket. They picked up runs with ease and the 202-run target seemed within reach but Yuvraj's dismissal in the 33rd over sparked a middle-order collapse.

India collapsed from 147 for three to 148 for six before Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Bangar came together for a fighting 39-run partnership. But the pair had their share of anxious moments on a slow pitch where the ball was stopping before coming on to the bat.

Ricardo Powell dropped a sitter at mid-wicket to give Bangar a reprieve on 14 and Kaif had a few close shaves while trying to steal quick singles. Bangar, who had hammered an unbeaten 57 to help India successfully chase a mammoth 325 in the fourth match of the series in Ahmedabad last week, stroked some key boundaries and by the time Kaif was out for 15 in the 44th over the win was only a formality.

Bangar finished 32 not out, ensuring that Dravid, who was leading the side because Saurav Ganguly has a back injury, maintained his 100 percent record as one-day captain. The 29-year-old from Bangalore had led the side to victory against Zimbabwe in Rajkot and against Sri Lanka in Colombo in his two previous outings as stand-in skipper.

Yuvraj also kept his flawless record - India have won all eight matches in which he has scored more than 50. Left-hander Dinesh Mongia (five) had started the Indian innings with a streaky four through the slip cordon but Drakes, who finished with three wickets for 38, had him edging to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs.

Explosive opener Virender Sehwag completed 1,000 one-day runs this year before he fell for a 20-ball 18, driving Drakes straight to Marlon Samuels at cover. Chris Gayle then took a brilliant one-handed diving catch in the gully, to dismiss Vangipurappu Laxman for seven, before Dravid and Yuvraj resurrected the innings.

Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik had earlier picked up a career best three for 36 in only his fourth one-day match and Ajit Agarkar three for 24 as West Indies were bowled out in 46.3 overs. Left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul slammed 58 for his 23rd one-day half-century to rescue West Indies from 74 for four, but his demise in the 40th over ensured the visiting team could not post a commanding total.

Wavell Hinds, man of the match for an explosive 80 in the last game in Baroda, fell for a 28-ball one when he flicked Agarkar straight to Dinesh Mongia at deep square leg. Kartik struck in his first over when left-hander Gayle, who has struck three centuries and a fifty in this series so far, tried an elaborate sweep over square-leg but was trapped lbw.

He then bowled Marlon Samuels for three with the arm ball and then Ramnaresh Sarwan (14) through the gate when he tried to drive over mid-on. Chanderpaul and Powell put on 61 for the fifth wicket in quick time to raise visions of a fighting recovery but they got out in quick succession. The deciding seventh match will be played in the southern city of Vijaywada on Sunday.