India clinch WI ODI series with 3-0 lead

Rohit Sharma scored a fantastic unbeaten 86 under pressure as India beat West Indies by three wickets to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series in Antigua on Saturday. Chasing a target of 226, the visitors were reeling at 92 for six but Rohit (86 not out, 91 balls, 5x4, 2x6) along with senior-pro Harbhajan Singh (41, 64 balls, 1x6, 1x4) added 88 runs as India finally got home rather comfortably with 22 balls to spare. The last two matches of the series will thus be rendered inconsequential as Rohit kept his composure when the team was in dire straits. He got an able ally in Harbhajan as the two batted with utmost responsbility. They never did anything flashy during their seventh wicket stand that lasted 184 overs. Save Parthiv Patel (46, 56 balls, 4x4, 1x6), none of the top-order batsmen showed intent although Virat Kohli got a poor leg-before decision when the ball seemed to be travelling down leg-side. Shikhar Dhawan (4) struggled, Subramanium Badrinath (11) went for a non-existent single, Suresh Raina was out to a ugly heave. When Yusuf Pathan was brilliantly caught by Lendl Simmons to reduce India to 92 for six, it looked like all but over for the Men In Blue. But Rohit had other ideas. Along with Harbhajan, he ran the singles well but didn't forget to punish the loose deliveries in the process. Praveen Kumar (25 no, 14 balls) provided final flourish after Harbhajan was dismissed.