IANS

Kingston (Jamaica), Jun 27: Powered by Yuvraj Singh's cracking 131 runs, India defeated West Indies in the first of the four one-day internationals here at the Sabina Park Friday.

Yuvraj smashed one of his typically dazzling centuries and comeback man Dinesh Karthik struck a solid 67 as India set the West Indies a stiff 340-run target.

West Indies put up a brave fight with a 65-run first wicket stand between C.H Gayle and R.S. Morton and a third wicket 51-run partnership between R.R Sarwan and S. Chanderpaul, though losing wickets at regular intervals.

The match tilted towards India after Chanderpaul was out for 63 in the 36th over bowled by Yusuf Pathan.

However, a promising eight-wicket stand of 44 runs between D.E. Bernard and D. Ramdin kept the West Indies hope alive at the end.

But Indians quickly came back into the game and bowled out the West Indies for 319 with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, Yuvraj (131, 102 balls, 7 sixes, 10 fours) and Karthik (77b, 1x6, 6x4) set the Indians on course for a big total with their 135-run third-wicket partnership.

It was further consolidated by an 86-runs fourth-wicket stand between Yuvraj and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (41, 41 balls, 1x6, 1x4) off who earlier won the toss and decided to bat.

In the rear, Yusuf Pathan chipped in with 40 not out (38b, 2x6, 2x4) and Harbhajan Singh 21 not out (13b, 2x6) to swell the total to 339 for six.

The start, however, was not encouraging with both Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma succumbing to short-pitched deliveries, trying ambitious shots. Gautam top-edged a hook off Jerome Taylor and Sharma perished failing to control a pull off David Bernard.

Yuvraj's spectacular innings fetched him the man of the match title.