Updated at: 1805 PST, Sunday, March 20, 2011
CHENNAI: A brilliant hundred by Yuvraj Singh steered India to 268 against the West Indies in the final World Cup Group B match here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.After captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first, India got a major blow in the very first over when star batsman Sachan Tendulkar was dismissed by Ravi Rampaul for a mere two.However, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli repaired the damage upto some extent but Gambhir went for 22 when India reached 51.Then Kohli was joined by Yuvraj and both added 122 runs for the third wicket before Kohli departed for 59. Later, Yuvraj completed his 13th one-day century from 112 balls but he was caught and bowled by Kieron Pollard for 113. His innings was laced with ten fours and two sixes But no other batsman could make any significant score except Dhoni (22) as India were all out for 268 in 49.1 overs Rampaul bowled splendidly well to grab five wickets for 51 in his ten overs while Andre Russell claimed two.India were already through to the quarter-finals before this match, the last of the World Cup group phase, while only a mammoth defeat at the Chidambaram Stadium would prevent the West Indies reaching the last eight.Co-hosts India made two changes after opening batsman Virender Sehwag was ruled out with a knee injury.Suresh Raina replaced Sehwag while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, on his home ground, was handed a tournament debut in place of left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra. For the West Indies, opening batsman Chris Gayle, who had been an injury doubt, was replaced by Kirk Edwards while Ravi Rampaul came in for fast bowler Kemar Roach.Victory for India would see them play champions Australia in the last eight while defeat would see them face fellow hosts Sri Lanka.But if the West Indies win they will play Australia while a defeat, assuming it was not by a colossal margin, would see them facing Pakistan.
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