Windies hold off battling India

West Indies overcame a blazing start by India to secure a three-wicket win in the third one-day game in Madras.
Marlon Samuels hit 98 and captain Brian Lara 83 as the tourists cruised home with six overs to spare.

West Indies' cricketer Brian Lara plays a shot against India during the third one-day international cricket match in Chennai yesterday. - AP

The result leaves the series at 2-1 to India with the final match in Baroda on Wednesday.

Opener Robin Uthappa smashed 70 from 41 balls to take India to 95-2 in the 11th over but they were bowled out for 268. Sachin Tendulkar (60) and Rahul Dravid (57) put on 106 but Dwayne Bravo took 4-39 as the last five wickets fell for 13 runs in the space of just six overs.

The touring team's chase got off to the worst possible start when Chris Gayle was lbw first ball to Ajit Agarkar. But Agarkar's opening partner Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was inconsistent and the decision to pick only two pace bowlers was made to look foolish.

Runako Morton, hit on the back of the head by a throw from the field, managed just a single but Samuels shared stands of 65 with Devon Smith (33) and 127 with Lara.

Samuels, who scored heavily on the off side with 12 boundaries, was stopped short of his third ODI century when caught behind flashing at a ball from Agarkar that kept low to edge behind. But Lara carried his side to within 12 runs of victory with a stylish innings, ended as he looked for a second six off portly spinner Ramesh Powar.