DHAKA, Oct 31 - The Indian batsmen launched a late onslaught on the West Indian bowlers and reached a respectable 242 for 6 after being in a seemingly hopeless situation in the second semi-final of the mini World Cup here today.
Although India won the toss and elected to bat first, it seemed as their plans misfired when they lost five of their top batsmen for 153 runs in the 39th over. Opener Saurav Ganguly batted with a steady defence coupled with aggression for his 83 off 116 balls with eight fours and two sixes when he was fifth out with India still in dire straits on a pitch which has produced an avalanche of runs.
The West Indian opening bowlers Reon King and Mervyn Dillon bowled exceptionally well to extract enough pace, bounce and control. Indian batting star Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed cheaply in the fourth over in the innings for 8. Tendulkar who earlier had a lucky escape off a run out decision from the third umpire, was soon brilliantly caught by Carl Hooper in the gully. Then Azharuddin after facing four balls was judged leg before wicket to give Dillon his second wicket.
It looked as India had lost their way thereafter. Dravid and Ganguly gave some respite to the Indians, adding 70 runs for the third wicket but Dravid was caught by Williams off Hooper for 20 after facing 54 balls.
Left-hander Robin Singh joined by wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia provided the fireworks for the packed audience. The Trinidad born Robin Singh accelerated the scoring rate with a flurry of pugnacious hits to put the Dhaka crowd back on their feet. With support of Mongia, he added 83 runs for the sixth wicket and took the score from 153 for 5 to 236 for 6 in 63 balls.
Robin Singh plundered leg-spinner Rawl Lewis for 18 runs in one over which included two massive sixes. Robin Singh reached his fifty off 53 balls and finally was unbeaten on 73 with five fours and three sixes. The West Indian bowlers who earlier did well to restrict India 192 for 5 in the 45th over, gave away precisely 50 runs in the last five overs due to the heroics of Robin Singh and Mongia.
Paceman Mervyn Dillon had the best figures, taking 3 for 38 off 8 overs which included the wickets of Tendulkar and Azharuddin.