From TVNZ

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli produced stylish half-centuries today as India completed a seven-wicket win over the West Indies in a group match at the World Twenty20.

Sharma (62 not out) and Kohli (54) helped India reach 130-3 off 19.4 overs in reply to the West Indies score of 129-7 to register a second consecutive win in the tournament.

Kohli, who had top-scored with 36 not out in India’s comfortable seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the first game, hit Badree for a four and six off the bowler’s first two deliveries of his second over to take charge straight away.

Sharma also opened up and got two consecutive fours in Badree’s next over to keep the momentum in India’s favor, hitting a total of five fours and two sixes in his 55-ball innings.

India’s reply was delayed by 10 minutes because of a confusion over the West Indies total and the target set finally at 130 was never going to be difficult

India was always on course, but in the end some dot balls played by Yuvraj Singh delayed the win.

“It was important for Rohit to bat through,” Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. “We could have won it a little earlier but I don’t think we should look too much into such things.”

But while the 106-run stand between Sharma and Kohli saw India cruise to victory, it was once again the Indian spin attack led by leg-spinner Amit Mishra that did the trick.

Mishra grabbed 2-18, following up his 2-22 against Pakistan in the first game which India also won by seven wickets.

Mishra seized control early on and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with 3-48 as the West Indian batsmen were left struggling to save their wickets.

The leg-spinner struck off successive deliveries when he had Marlon Samuels stumped and Dwayne Bravo lbw with a straight delivery.

Mishra mixed the pace of his deliveries to keep the batsmen on a tight leash throughout.

The West Indies could never get going with India’s new-ball bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling a miserly three overs in which he gave away three runs, and then well-set batsmen Chris Gayle and Lendl Simons falling at crucial junctures.

Big-hitting opener Gayle survived two chances as Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuvraj Singh dropped a catch each but could only manage 34 off 33 deliveries with one four and two sixes.

Gayle was run out before he could quicken his rate of scoring. Simmons scored 27 off 22 with one four and two sixes.

“We just didn’t respond well enough to their spinners, it took us a long time,” West Indian captain Darren Sammy said. “We did not score enough runs but I though our bowlers did a good job to restrict their scoring. This is just the first game for us and there is no need to panic.”

For more on this story go to:

http://tvnz.co.nz/cricket-news/india-cruise-past-west-indies-5872336