Rahane and Dhoni push India to 251/4
Fighting half centuries from Ajinkya Rahane and Mahendra Singh Dhoni allowed India to post a competitive 251 for four against the West Indies after a slowish surface tested the visitors' high profile batting line-up in the third ODI. Indian batsmen found the runscoring tough before the efforts of Rahane (72 off 112) and Dhoni (78 not out 79) took India past the 250-run mark.
Kedhar Jadhav (40 not out off 26) too played his part well while batting alongside Dhoni as India amassed 100 off the last 60 balls.
It was not a surprise that West Indies captain Jason Holder chose to put the opposition in to bat after overnight rain left moisture in the pitch, also delaying the match start by 45 minutes.
The wicket offered spongy bounce early on and its slowness made batting difficult. The heavy rain last night also made the outfield slow.
The conditions led to India feeling the heat for the first time in the series with the inform Shikhar Dhawan (2) and skipper Virat Kohli (11) back in hut by the 10th over, leaving the visitors at 34 for two.
Dhawan was caught while trying to guide a short ball off Miguel Cummins over the third man boundary.
Kohli was out to a brilliant catch by debutant Kyle Hope at gully after the premier batsman poked at a Holder delivery that rose off the pitch sharply.