From Caribbean 360

KANPUR, India, Wednesday November 27, 2013, CMC- India rode on a sparkling century from Skikhar Dhawan to beat West Indies by five wickets in the third and final One Day international (ODI), clinching the three-match series two-one here on Wednesday.

The Indians ambled to victory with 23 balls to spare after restricting the West Indies to 263 for five at the Green Park Stadium.

Dhawan stole the limelight with an attacking 119 that came off 95 balls, his fifth ODI hundred, while Yuvraj Singh notched up a 74-ball 55 to seal the issue for the home side.

There was briefly some hope for West Indies when Ravi Rampaul dismissed two of India’s top three batsmen early.

Rohit Sharma went for four and Virat Kholi for 19 but a 129 run partnership for the third wicket between Yuvraj and Dhawan set the platform for the easy win.

Earlier, Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo struck half-centuries to propel West Indies to a challenging total.

Powell and Samuels shared a 117-run second-wicket partnership which laid the foundation for West Indies after the visitors were put into bat by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Samuels recovered from a shaky start to top score with 71 which included seven fours and a six.

He was more at ease against the spinners, stepping out to launch Ravichandran Ashwin onto the temporary roof in the stands beyond long-on.

Samuels was reprieved on 60 when Kohli put down a chance at first slip, but was bowled soon after by Ashwin.

Powell hit nine fours to reach 70, his second half century of the series, before miscuing a sweep off Ashwin.

Powell and Samuels took the visitors to a strong 164 for 2 but the loss of three quick wickets including Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo nearly squandered the gains.

However, a late flourish between Darren Bravo and Darren Sammy which yielded 67 runs carried West Indies past the 260- run mark.

Bravo scored 51 not out, his third consecutive half-century, while Sammy was unbeaten on 37.

For the hosts, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 45 from his quota of 10 overs.

PHOTO: Rampaul dismisses Rohit Sharma.

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