India ease past West Indies to inch closer to semi-finals

MIRPUR: India inched closer to a World Twenty20 semi-final spot after half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli secured a seven-wicket victory over holders West Indies in a super 10 stage match on Sunday.

The 2007 champions restricted their big-hitting West Indian opponents to a below-par 129 for seven on a slow track and returned to chase down the target with two balls to spare for their second successive victory.

India lost opener Shikhar Dhawan in the first over to a dubious leg before decision but Kohli (54) and Sharma (62 not out) featured in a 106-run second wicket partnership to take the game away from their opposition.
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Kohli once again displayed a silken touch, scoring fluently to underline his growing stature as one of the most promising batsmen in the game, and he got good support from Sharma who batted until the end.

Needing five runs to win off 12 balls with eight wickets in hand, India's approach to victory was rather slow but their win was never in doubt even after they lost a struggling Yuvraj Singh in the final over.

India, who beat 2009 champions Pakistan on Friday and take on qualifiers Bangladesh next Friday, top Group Two with four points.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was particularly happy that India's previously misfiring bowling attack finally struck form.

"I'm really happy how the spinners are bowling," Dhoni told reporters.

"Yes, there is a bit of help for them but at the same time you have to execute your plans well, especially when you've some of the big hitters in the opposition.

"I was really happy that our spinners, along with the part-timers and fast bowlers, have done really well but there is still a long way to go in this tournament."