India beat WI in seven-run thriller

Singh’s aggressive 110 boosted India to 262 for four in 50 overs and its bowlers then managed to contain the Windies to 255 for nine from 50 overs.

Left-hander Singh smashed one six and 11 boundaries from 114 deliveries and shared a 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Kaif (83 not out) to pull India out of a tight spot when they slumped to 51 for three.

India finished their four preliminary league matches with two wins and qualified for tomorrow’s final against host Sri Lanka, which topped the table with three victories.

The Windies reply revolved around opener Runako Morton’s composed 105-ball 84, his highest one-day score, and an 83-run stand for the seventh wicket with Denesh Ramdin, whose aggressive 74 not out kept the Windies in the frame until the end.

Forced to field a youthful squad for this tour due to a contract dispute between the West Indies cricket board and the players’ union, the Windies suffered a big blow before yesterday’s start as a viral fever ruled out skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Sylvester Joseph, playing only his 13th limited-over international, led the side in Chanderpaul’s absence.

Singh arrived at the crease with the score on 21 for two, and opener Sourav Ganguly having retired hurt for two after being struck on his left hand by paceman Daren Powell. An x-ray showed no fracture, but he wasn’t required to bat again.

Returning to the lineup after missing two matches, Singh saw skipper Rahul Dravid perish for 10 before Kaif provided the support that revived India.

Kaif’s commanding 103-ball knock contained four boundaries.

In reply, the Windies were jolted by two early strikes as pace bowler Irfan Pathan (2 for 34) dismissed opener Xavier Marshall (19) and captain Joseph (4).

Waging a lone battle, Morton watched wickets tumble at the other end as Deonarine (6), Banks (6), Ricardo Powell (4) perished.

Dwayne Smith provided a brief spark with his 12-ball 26 which contained two huge sixes before he fell LBW to leg-spinner Anil Kumble (3 for 38). Paceman Ashish Nehra (2 for 60) assured India’s win by first having Morton snapped by Dravid at short-midwicket, and then conceding just four runs in the final over, from which the Windies needed 12.