Lara8217;s theme outwits listless India

Their batsmen then toyed with a stingless Indian attack to set up a Wills Mini-World Cup title clash with South Africa after a convincing six-wicket in the day-night semifinal here at the Bangabandhu Stadium tonight.

So, India will not come back with the trophy from Dhaka this time. The equations going into the match favoured India; bowling was their weak spot but their strongbatting line-up, at least on paper, suggested they could outbat their rivals. Had it not been for Robin Singh8217;s breathtaking onslaught in the last eight overs which produced 79 runs 46 in the final four, India would not have even got to the total of 240 in 50 overs.

The West Indies have a way of winning in style. Javagal Srinath8217;s first ball disappeared into the stands over long-off and there was no looking back. The other pacer Ajit Agarkar felt the shining new ball in his hands for only one over as Azhar brought in leg-spinner Anil Kumble, his best bowler for all seasons. But, even he was a disappointment as Philo Wallace and Shivnarine Chanderpaul sent the Indians on a leather-hunt.

Wallace has been the West Indies8217; star here. No cross-bat shots, only authentic ones, the key being the punch he carries with his strong shoulders and forearms. Chanderpaul too added strokes to his repertoire to puncture the Indian attack.

Whenever Azhar is in a problem he looks up to Sachin Tendulkar. The littlegiant8217; produced a seemingly innocuous delivery to provide India a break when Wallace gave a return catch. Chanderpaul, plagued by a foot injury, followed Wallace and visions of another Tendulkar night were on.

Lara was still there as he outshone Tendulkar today. India severely missed an off-spinner today. Earlier, the Indian batting was colourless and lacked a gameplan. Tendulkar8217;s off-day with the bat meant panic in the Indian dressing room. Skipper Azharuddin was guilty of letting his team down. He chose to be arrogant with his favourite flick on the on-side, to be trapped in front as the West Indies pacers, Mervyn Dillon and Reon King, gave their team a tremendous start.

Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly tried to resurrect the innings. Ajay Jadeja brought some urgency to the innings but his suicidal runout compounded Indian miseries. Mongia was equally supportive. Just as the spectators started booing him for refusing a couple of singles, Robin silenced them with a swept boundary. A six off the next ballsent them into a frenzy and then on it was Robin8217;s show.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA: Saurav Ganguly st Jacob b Lewis 83 117b, 8215;4, 2215;6, Sachin Tendulkar c Hooper b Dillon 8 14b, 1215;4, Mohammed Azharuddin lbw Dillon 1 4b, Rahul Dravid c Williams b Hooper 20 54b, 1215;4, Ajay Jadeja run out 13 17b, 1215;4, Robin Singh not out 73 63b, 5215;4, 3215;6, Nayan Mongia b Dillon 25 28b, 1215;4, Javagal Srinath not out 6 3b, 1215;4. Extras lb 8, w 5 13.

TOTAL 6 wkts, 50 overs: 242

Fall Of Wickets: 1-14 Tendulkar, 2-21 Azhar, 3-91 Dravid, 4-125 Jadeja, 5-152 Ganguly, 6-236 Mongia.

Bowling: King 10-2-26-0, Dillon 8-1-38-3, Hooper 10-0-42-1, Simmons 10-0-47-0, Arthurton 3-0-26-0, Lewis 9-0-58-1.

WEST INDIES: Phillo Wallace camp;b Tendulkar 39 45b, 5215;4, 1215;6, Stuart Williams c Mongia b Srinath 5 7b, 1215;4, Shivnarine Chanderpaul b Tendulkar 74 74b, 10215;4, 1215;6, Brian Lara not out 60, 88b, 5215;4, Carl Hooper c Agarkar b Kumble 8 5b, 2215;4, Keith Arthurton not out 40 68b, 4215;4.Extras b 4, lb 8, w 2, nb 5: 19.

Total 4 wkts, 47 overs: 245

Fall Of Wickets: 1-27 Williams, 2-108 Wallace, 3-143 Chanderpaul, 4-156 Hooper

Bowling: Srinath 7-0-56-1, Agarkar 4-0-25-0, Kumble 10-0-52-1, Joshi 10-0-35-0, Tendulkar 10-1-29-2, Dravid 6-0-36-0.

Man Of The Match: Mervyn Dillon West Indies

Sunday8217;s Final: South Africa vs West Indies.