West Indies eye scalp of hosts

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was leading West Indies' charge towards the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals with a battling half-century against India.

Chasing India's competitive total of 223 for nine after captain Brian Lara unexpectedly chose to field first, opener Chanderpaul seized his chance to hit an unbeaten half-century.

Chris Gayle gave West Indies a flying start with a quickfire 34, but after he holed out to the deep it was Chanderpaul who took responsibility for guiding the reply.

Chanderpaul, who missed the thrilling victory over Australia with food poisoning, hammered eight boundaries in his half-century and steered his side to a comfortable 114 for two at the halfway stage of their reply.

He forged an important 57-run stand with all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who was promoted up the order to number three, until he fell leg before to spinner Harbhajan Singh shortly before the halfway point.

Hard-hitting wicketkeeper batsman Mahendra Dhoni had earlier helped India to a competitive total after losing early wickets.

Victory for either team would secure their place in the semi-finals and a capacity crowd expected India, as hosts, to march emphatically into the last four with a commanding display.

But instead of their highly-regarded top order providing the impetus, it was left to Dhoni. He hit 51 off 65 balls and helped add a crucial 42 from the final five overs after India had slipped to 164 for six with only eight overs of their innings remaining.