Daredevils Karthik and Nehra shine in Indian win

KINGSTON, JUNE 27: Delhi Daredevils were once again in the forefront as India scored a 20-run win over West Indies in the first one-day international at Sabina Park, Kingston in Jamaica.

Dinesh Karthik, opening for the Indians, with fellow Daredevil Gautam Gambhir, smashed 67 runs in 77 balls, as he carried his incredible IPL form into the series. Karthik, who was inducted into the T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for injured Daredevil Virender Sehwag, put on 135 runs for the third wicket with Man of the Match Yuvraj Singh (131 in 102 balls).

Earlier Gambhir scored 13 of the 25 runs put on by Karthik and him for the first wicket.

As India put up a total of 339 for six in 50 overs, West Indies gave a good fight and came close to the target despite losing seven wickets for just 250.

As India were facing with a late fightback, another Daredevil, Aashish Nehra, making a comeback to the Indian side, delivered for India. Nehra, Daredevils’ leading bowler in the IPL in South Africa, came at a crucial stage and finished with three for 49. He dismissed DE Bernard in the 45th over and then D Ramdin in the 49th over to give India a winning start in the four-match series.