India vs West Indies: Big high & the losses that hurt

In the last decade, India vs West Indies contest has provided thrills galore. TOI lists three games that left a mark in the memory of cricket lovers.

Royal chase

Venue: Motera Ahmedabad | Nov 15, 2002

When Chris Gayle hit a blistering 140 in company of Ramnaresh Sarwan (99*) to take West Indies past 300-run mark, the writing was clearly on the wall for India. However, Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 109, Laxman's classy 66 and Sanjay Bangar's cameo saw India chase down the target of 325 with 14 balls to spare despite a minor collapse.

Brief Scores: West Indies 324-4 in 50 overs (C Gayle 140, R Sarwan 99*, C Hooper 36, Harbhajan 1-30, 1-49) lost to India 325-5 in 47.4 overs (R Dravid 109*, Laxman 66, S Bangar 57*, M Dillon 2-65)

Real thriller

Venue: Kingston, Jamaica | May 20, 2006

Under Rahul Dravid, the Indians were on a roll before being stopped by Brian Lara's men in Jamaica. Ramnaresh Sarwan's 98 gave Windies something to bowl at. Indian batting crumbled before Yuvraj and Raina steadied the ship. However, Dwayne Bravo broke Indian hearts castling Yuvraj with a slower one when India needed two off three balls.

Brief Scores: West Indies 198 in 50 overs (R Sarwan 98*, I Pathan 3-45, A Agarkar 2-25, R Powar 2-38) bt India 197 in 49.4 overs (Yuvraj 93, Raina 27, I Bradshaw 3-33, J Taylor 2-49, M Samuels 2-30)

The big upset

Venue: Motera, Ahmedabad | Oct 26, 2006

Tipped as favourites to lift the Champions Trophy India flattered only to deceive. Their poor run against West Indies continued. Dhoni and Dravid's knocks gave India some respectability, however, 223 wasn't enough. Gayle rocked while Chanderpaul, Sarwan and Runako Morton then guided them home.

Brief scores: India 223-9 in 50 overs (MS Dhoni 51, R Dravid 49, I Bradshaw 3-30) lost to West Indies 224-7 in 49.4 overs.

India vs West Indies STATBOX : ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Facts and figures relating to the Group B World Cup match between India and West Indies at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Head-to-head record: West Indies lead 54-38 (Tied: 1; NR: 2)

In the World Cups: Tied at 3-3

In the sub-continent: West Indies lead 32-22 (NR: 1)

* The most memorable showdown between the countries was perhaps the 1983 World Cup final, where India caused a stunning upset by preventing the mighty West Indies from completing a hat-trick of wins.

* India (LWWTW) have hardly lived up to their favourite billing as they have yet to play a match where all their disciplines have clicked. In their two matches against top nations -- England and South Africa -- India wasted flying starts and lost a heap of wickets. The co-hosts were slammed by fans and pundits alike after surrendering their last nine wickets for 29 runs against South Africa.

* West Indies (LWWWL) appeared to have sealed their place in the last eight when they were cantering towards victory against England before they slipped up with the finishing line in sight, losing by 18 runs.

* India openers Virender Sehwag (327 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (324 runs) have been very successful but the much famed middle order has not quite clicked yet, with Gautam Gambhir (197 runs) and Yuvraj Singh (171 runs) being somewhat among the runs. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have to decide whether to play Suresh Raina or Yusuf Pathan.

* Devon Smith (212 runs) has been the most successful West Indian batsman so far, while Kieron Pollard (178 runs) has been destructive. India need to fear the classy Darren Bravo and Chris Gayle.

* With Kemar Roach (13 wickets at economy of 3.88) and Sulieman Benn (12 wickets at economy of 4.69) in the top 10 wicket takers, along with India's Zaheer Khan (12 wickets at economy of 4.31), both teams have wicket taking abilities. India's biggest problem has been the absence of any spinner among the leading wicket takers, with Yuvraj Singh providing some respite with seven wickets but at a rather expensive economy rate of 5.09.