Rain stops play after 15 overs, India 79 for one

Kuala Lumpur, Sep 14 (UNI) Rain stopped play after 15 overs with India well placed at 79 for one against West Indies in the second match of the DLF Cup tri-series here today.

Sachin Tendulkar was batting on 34 and Irfan Pathan on four when covers were brought in.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, India were off to a flying start scoring 62 for no loss at the end of ten overs with skipper Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar taking calculated risks to take the Indian score past fifty in the eighth over itself.

With Sehwag playing in the middle order, Tendulkar and Dravid started scoring briskly from the word go, though Tendulkar was a little edgy in the first couple of overs.

In the second over, wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh failed to grab a difficult chance to dismiss Tendulkar off Fidel Edwards. But, that was the only time West Indies came close to taking a wicket as the master blaster soon launched into his belligerent self.

A sweetly timed drive on the mid wicket boundary in the third over announced his good form. The Mumbai batsman, who returned to top class cricket after a long lay off, was willing to take chances and two top edges flying well over the slip cordon for boundaries kept the score board ticking fast.

Dravid also scored in boundaries that took India past fifty in 7.1 overs. However, the pitch played dual nature and odd balls were keeping low while few climbed up alarmingly and both the Indian openers were hit on the gloves.

Tendulkar needed attention from the physio when in the 13th over he was hit by Dwayne Smith delivery on the knuckles. He looked in pain but continued to bat after a small break.

West Indies skipper Brian Lara introduced Dwayne Smith from the pavilion end and he immediately tasted success. Dravid was trapped lbw for 26 by a delivery that kept very low.

Irfan Pathan then came in to bat at number three and gave company to Tendulkar till rain interrupted.

Earlier, India opted for five bowlers, with four seamers in Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, RP Singh and Munaf Patel. Harbhajan Singh was the lone spinner in the side.

West Indies decided to field the same team which lost their first one-dayer against Australia.

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