India vs West Indies: Top 5 game changing moments

With both teams playing their second match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, India once again showed its supremacy by coasting to an 8 wicket victory against West Indies and marching into the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in 11 years. Here is a quick look at the top 5 game changing moments from the match.

1) Early fall of Christopher Henry Gayle - Hailed amongst the most destructive opening batsman ever to have played the ODI format of the game, much was expected out of a certain Chris Gayle. While at the crease and threatening to explode, he was brilliantly caught by Ashwin of the bowling of Kumar for an 18 ball 21, thereby ensuring the Gayle storm fizzled early in the match.   

2) Jadeja strikes - It is becoming something of a routine for Ravindra Jadeja to answer the clarion call of his captain by becoming the go-to man when the team is in trouble. With Johnson Charles going all guns blazing, West Indies were threatening to cut loose, before Jadeja came into bowl. While his very first over was a maiden, his probing line and length was too much for Charles, who was trapped plumb in front for a quick fire 60. His immaculate left-arm spin was instrumental in ensuring a mini-collapse for the Windies, when he snared the all important wickets of Charles, Samuels and Sarwan in a span of 6 runs, en route to a maiden 5-wicket haul.  

3) Cameo by Sammy - With the team tottering at 163 for 6, Sammy had the unenviable job of not only stabilising the innings, but scoring runs at a fair clip in order to ensure that Windies post a competitive score. Having little help from the other end, Sammy, who scored only five runs in the first 15 balls, shifted gears to reach his half-century in the next 20 balls. His unbeaten knock of 56 came off just 35 balls, powered with five hits to the fence and four over it, helping West Indies post a challenging 233 for 9.

4) Century stand from Indian openers - For India to chase down a target of over 230, it was imperative that the top-order batsman lay a solid foundation. The openers did just that as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan continued in the same vein as they had in the previous match against South Africa, adding 101 runs in only 15.3 overs thereby giving the team a flying start. While Sharma made an assured 52, Dhawan was at his fluent best smashing an unbeaten ton.

5) Shikhar Dhawan's unbeaten century - The stylish left-hander yet again sizzled on the international stage, notching up his second successive ODI century with a slashed six off Dwayne Bravo over backward point. Dhawan remained not out on 102, smashing 10 fours and a six in the process, guiding India to yet another emphatic victory and knocking arch-rivals Pakistan out of the race.