Saurav Ganguly scored a sparkling 98 on his one-day international return after a 16-month absence to help India to a 14-run victory over West Indies on Sunday.
The 34-year-old opener struck 11 fours and three sixes to lead the hosts to a commanding total of 338 for three, enjoying good partnerships with Gautam Gambhir (69) and Sachin Tendulkar (31) after they were put in to bat.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit a defiant 149 not out as West Indies were restricted to 324 for eight in reply.
Tendulkar, mixing pace with spin, had the dangerous Brian Lara stumped by Mahendra Dhoni for 31.
Man of the match Chanderpaul, who hit 15 fours and three sixes in his fifth one-day century, fought all the way despite seeing wickets fall at regular intervals at the other end.
Chanderpaul put on 80 for the first wicket with Chris Gayle (52).
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh dismissed Gayle and Runako Morton (8) to put the skids under the visitors before Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels (40) added 73 for the third wicket.
Pivotal moment
Lara then struck two fours and two sixes to rattle up a stand of 66 in 44 balls with Chanderpaul.
But Lara’s dismissal proved a pivotal moment as he left the field with West Indies needing 98 from 57 deliveries.
Earlier, former India captain Ganguly put on 144 for the opening wicket with Gambhir as the runs flowed on an excellent batting pitch at the VCA Stadium.
Ganguly, back in the one-day side on the strength of his performances in the Test series in South Africa, also added 70 in 73 balls with Tendulkar.
Dwayne Smith ran out Ganguly with a direct hit from short mid-wicket before wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni lashed a quickfire 62 not out, putting on an unbeaten 119 in 71 balls with skipper Rahul Dravid (54) for the fourth wicket.
India’s win ended a six-match losing streak. It was also only their second victory over West Indies in eight meetings.
The second game in the four-match series is in Cuttack on Wednesday. – Reuters