Windies Upset India by 16 runs to Keep Series Alive

Ahmedabad: West Indies finally got their act together to snatch an upset 16-run victory over world champions India to keep themselves afloat in the five-match series on Monday.

Chasing a competitive 261, Rohit Sharma struck a classy 95 but the Indians lacked firepower to overhaul the target and were ultimately bowled out for 244 in 46.5 overs.

West Indies, who desperately needed a victory to keep themselves in the reckoning, recorded their first win in the tour to reduce the margin to 1-2 in the ODI series after having lost the Test rubber 0-2.

The last wicket pair of Abhimanyu Mithun (23) and Umesh Yadav (11 not out) raised hopes of unlikely win with 28-run stand after India were reduced to 216 for nine in 43.3 overs.

But it was not be as West Indies' most impressive bowler Ravi Rampaul (4-57) trapped Mithun plumb in front of the wicket to end India's winning streak.

Sharma, whose 100-ball knock was laced with 10 fours and a six, and Ravichandran Ashwin (31 in 64 balls) put on a defiant stand of 91 in 115 balls to keep India in the hunt after a top-order collapse that saw India lose half of their side with only 84 on board by the 16th over.

The dangerous-looking stand was finally broken by debutant Sunil Narine (2-34) when he had Ashwin LBW in the 40th over.

And then Sharma was brilliantly run out by West Indies skipper Darren Sammy with a direct hit four overs later to tilt the balance of the match.

Mithun, who struck two fours and as many sixes, and Yadav brought India closer to an improbable win but in the end it was not enough as West Indies clawed their way back into the series.

The fourth ODI of the series is slated to be held on December 8 at Indore and the final game at Chennai on December 11.

Brief scores
West Indies 260 for 5 (Samuels 58, Sammy 41*, Russell 40*)
India 244 (Rohit 95, Rampaul 4-57)
Result West Indies beat India by 16 runs
MOM Ravi Rampaul (West Indies)