India thrash WI to close in on semi-finals

Skipper Virat Kohli scored his fourth successive half century as India cruised to a convincing 125-run victory over the West Indies in their ICC Cricket World Cup match played at Manchester yesterday.
Kohli scored 72 in India’s total of 268 for seven after they had won the toss and elected to bat first and then bowled out the West Indies for 143 runs in 34.2 overs.
Mohammed Shami returned excellent figures of four for 16 while Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed two wickets each.  

Kohli, whose 82-ball knock included eight boundaries, extended his fine run of form with some eye-catching shots that charmed a partisan crowd at Old Trafford.
Kohli, who registered his 53rd ODI fifty in his 232nd ODI match, built crucial partnerships including a 69-run second-wicket stand with K. L. Rahul, who made 48.

Wicket-keeper-batsman M. S. Dhoni and Hardik Pandya boosted the total, putting on 70 runs for the sixth-wicket to punish the otherwise-disciplined bowlers in the last 10 overs.
Pandya hit 46 off 38 balls while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 56, ending the innings with a big six. (Agencies)