India middle order batsman Rohit Sharma struck a gutsy 68 off 75 balls as India won the first one day international (ODI) against the West Indies by four wickets at the Queen's Park Oval on Monday.
Sharma smashed three fours and a six and was involved in a crucial fifth wicket partnership of 80 runs with skipper Suresh Raina as India took a 1-0 lead in the five match series.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan who scored his maiden ODI fifty (51 off 76) was the other notable contributor for Team India.
Earlier, India lost the wickets of Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli as they went about their chase of 215 for victory.
While a needless run out accounted for Parthiv's wicket, Kohli slashed at a wide wide one to be caught by Baugh off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul.
India lost their third wicket soon after as Subramaniam Badrinath's attempt to square cut a Devendra Bishoo delivery only ended up in the gloves of Windies wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh.
Badrinath's dismissal brought Sharma to the crease who along with Dhawan added 43 runs for the fourth wicket.
Dhawan departed after bringing up his half century as his slog sweep off Windies leg spinner spinner Anthony Martin was thankfully accepted by Lendl Simmons on the deep mid wicket boundary which left India four down.
Raina leading the Indian side in the absence of some big names then made 43 and along with Sharma took India to the brink of victory.
The Indian skipper fell to Martin who picked up his second wicket but the stage was set for the finishing act to be executed with the minimum of fuss.
Yusuf Pathan was caught and bowled by Rampaul who picked up his second scalp as India lost their sixth wicket.
However, Harbhajan Singh's six off Darren Sammy settled the issue in favour of India with 5.1 overs to spare.
Earlier, Ramnaresh Sarwan top scored with 56 and Marlon Samuels chipped in with a useful 55 but the rest of the batsmen failed miserably as West Indies were kept down to 214/9 in their 50 overs.
RamnareshSarwan was caught down the led side off the bowling of Munaf Patel for 56 as the West Indies lost their fourth wicket against India in the first one day international (ODI) at Port of Spain on Monday.
Earlier, Sarwan and Marlon Samuels put on 82 runs to put West Indies back on track.
The Windies lost their third wicket when Kirk Edwards top edged a pull shot to be caught by Virat Kohli off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh for 21.
West Indies lost opener Lendl Simmons and Darrren Bravo inside the mandatory first powerplay as disciplined bowling by India's new-ball bowlers led to early wickets.
Munaf was rewarded for a nagging line and length as Bravo fished outside his off stump to be caught by Rohit Sharma at a widish slip position.
Simmons felt the need to up the ante and fell in search of quick runs when he tried to loft Kumar but could only hit it as far as mid-off where Harbhajan Singh completed an easy catch.
To the surprise of everyone, Kieron Pollard was left out of the playing eleven. India too sprung a surprise by leaving R Ashwin out for Amit Mishra.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat in the first one day international (ODI) against India at Port of Spain.
