Thaindian News

Port Of Spain, June 6 (IANS) India put up a disciplined bowling performance to restrict the West Indies to 214 for nine in the first One-day International here Monday.

Harbhajan Singh took three wickets while Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel and captain Suresh Raina chipped in with two wickets each.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (56) and Marlon Samuels (55) scored 81 runs after West Indies lost three quick wickets. The lower order, however, failed to accelerate in the death overs.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy chose to bat, but Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel bowled a tight line.

The West Indies lost opener Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo early.

Praveen dismissed Simmons, who played straight into the hands of Harbhajan Singh at mid-off.

Bravo was caught by Rohit Sharma in the slips off Munaf.

Kirk Edwards (45) and Sarwan found the going tough and focussed on building a partnership. But the runs dried out as the spinners tightened the noose around them.

Edwards, who was clearly uneasy facing the slow bowlers, was dismissed by Harbhajan, caught by Virat Kohli in the slips.

Sarwan and Samuels then tried to stem the rot but the runs came at a slow pace.

Sarwan, who hit five fours in his 94-ball innings, was caught by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel off Munaf.

Raina got rid of Samuels, who hit two sixes as he looked to break the shackles.

Dwayne Bravo made a quickfire 22 off 20 balls and Carlton Baugh contributed 16, before Harbhajan got rid of both. The rest of the lower order batting then surrendered.