Powerhouse India ended West Indies ICC 2019 World Cup dream with a crushing defeat by 125 runs at Old Trafford last Thursday (June 25).
Entering the contest already with little hope of qualifying for the final four, the regional team’s demise was confirmed when they failed to chase down a modest 269 and were all out for an embarrassing 143 in the 35th over, suffering their third heaviest defeat in a World Cup.
The loss was their fifth in seven matches and left them eight in the standings on three points, only above South Africa and Afghanistan, with two games remaining.
With two matches left, the Windies will be contesting purely for pride when they face Sri Lanka and Afghanistan this week.
After winning the toss and opting to bat the Indians scored 268 for seven off their 50 overs, with captain Virat Kholi hitting 72 and former captain MS Dhoni getting an unbeaten 56.
Kholi was named Man-of-the-Match.
Opener KL Rahaul struck 48 and Hardik Panday a vital 46 down the middle order, as India rallied against some disciplined bowling.
Fast bowler Kemar Roach, in only his third match of the World Cup, led the Windies with three for 36 from his 10 overs and fellow pacer Sheldon Cottrell claimed 2 for 50 and Holder (2-33).
When the Wes Indies took their turn at the crease wickets began to fall cheaply. Opener Chris Gayle was out for 6 followed by Shai Hope (5).
At one stage their batting collapsed and the West Indies were 98 for 5.
Sunil Ambris, in his first game of the tournament after arriving in the country as a replacement for injured Andre Russell top scored with 31, while Nicholas Pooran made 28.
Mohammed Shami wrecked the batting with an outstanding spell for 4 for 16, while fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah (2-29) and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chalal (2-30) picked up the other wickets.
