THE West Indies went down by 45 runs to India in a practice match at Eden Gardens, in Kolkata yesterday, as both teams continued preparations for the ICC World T20.Chasing a healthy target of 185-5, underpinned by Rohit Sharma’s brilliant 98, the regional team got off to a strong start with openers Chris Gayle and Johnson Charles combining to fire the team to 26 off the first two overs.
Gayle was the first to depart after being dismissed off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. When Charles was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the very next over, however, hopes of chasing the big target were already in doubt.
Neither Marlon Samuels (17) nor Denesh Ramdin (6) was around long enough to stabilise the innings, with only Andre Russell (19) and Jason Holder (13) who was not-out, providing any further resistance. The team ended all out at 140.
Sharma’s destructive total, which came off 58 balls, set the platform for India’s big total. Sulieman Benn and Jerome Taylor were the team’s most successful bowlers claiming two wickets each.
Both teams will go into action next week with India taking on New Zealand on March 15 and the West Indies against England the following day