Charles stars in Windies narrow win over India

Johnson Charles scored 97 off 100 balls helping the West Indies to a one-wicket over India in the second Tri-Nation One-Day International (ODI) series at Sabina Park here Sunday. Charles smashed four sixes and eight fours as the West Indies overhauled India's 229 for seven by scoring 230 for nine in 47.4 overs. Darren Bravo too played a crucial innings of 55 runs, forging a 115-run stand with Charles for the fourth wicket after the Windies had lost three early wickets. But in the end it was birthday boy Kemar Roach, who scored a match winning 14 off 32 balls to steer the Windies home. The West Indies, though, didn't have the best of starts with Chris Gayle (11) failing to make an impact in front of his home crowd while Devon Smith (0) and Marlon Samuels (1) too being dismissed cheaply. Kieron Pollard (4) and Dinesh Ramdin (4) got out in quick succession giving India a sniff of a chance. The hosts kept shooting themselves in the foot with some dismal shot selection, however, Roach and Tino Best held on to give the West Indies their second successive win. Earlier, India put into bat, lost Shikar Dhawan (11) cheaply. Rohit Sharma (60) played a gritty knock and held one end up, however India kept losing wickers at regular intervals. Virat Kohli (11) and Dinesh Karthik (23) failed to make an impression while Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27) injured himself, ruining any chances of a late flourish. Suresh Raina (44), though, gave a good account of himself but was dismissed at a key juncture of the innings.