Rain has final say in first WI-India ODI

At 3.50 pm the match was called off after persistent rain in the afternoon. India got to 199 runs for three wickets after 39.2 overs.

Shortly before the match was called off the small crowd at the Oval thought they would have seen some more cricket. It was announced at 3.25 pm that West Indies would chase a revised 194 in 26 overs, but minutes later the rain returned to end the match.

The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane did entertain with a brilliant opening partnership of 132 in 25 overs.

Rahane was first to go, mistiming a delivery and was caught at midon for 62 by West Indies captain Jason Holder off fast bowler Alzarri Joseph. Rahane faced 78 balls hitting eight fours.

Dhawan was heading for a century, but on 87 was trapped leg before wicket to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo. Dhawan’s 92-ball knock comprised eight fours and two sixes. After the experienced Yuvraj Singh was dismissed for four, rain ended play with India captain Virat Kohli on 32 and MS Dhoni on nine.

Holder (1/34), Bishoo (1/39) and Joseph (1/53) were the wicket- takers for the Windies. The second match of the five-match ODI series will be played tomorrow at the same venue from 9 am.