Cricket World Cup 2019: India flex their muscle in big win over West Indies

This is how it played out in Manchester

Five bowlers to watch at the Cricket World Cup

India moved to the brink of sealing their place in the World Cup semi-finals by ending the West Indies' lingering hopes of reaching the knockout stages at Old Trafford.

Virat Kohli's fourth successive half-century underpinned a total of 268 for seven, with Hardik Pandya and Mahendra Singh Dhoni injecting some late impetus as 81 runs were taken from the final nine overs.

That proved to be more than enough on a used surface offering a hint of movement and appreciable turn as they claimed a 125-run win, with the Windies succumbing to 143 all out after 34.2 overs under glorious blue skies.

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[27 June 2019 10:18 · Samuel Lovett]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's World Cup meeting between the West Indies and India.

We'll be bringing you rolling coverage so make sure to stick around for what should be another thrilling clash!

[27 June 2019 10:19 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Today's meeting at Old Trafford is a huge game for both the West Indies and India. The former, after their dramatic loss against New Zealand last time out, will need to win all of their remaining games if they're to stand a chance of reaching the semi-finals.

India, meanwhile, will have effectively secured their qualification with a victory today. They are yet to taste defeat at this World Cup and look in imperious form. But Afghanistan gave Virat Kohli and his team a scare. That will certainly encourage the West Indies.

It's all setup to be a great day of cricket in Manchester. And, thankfully, the forecast shows no sign of any rain.

[27 June 2019 10:24 · Callum Rice-Coates]

[27 June 2019 10:28 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The national anthems have been sung and we're almost ready to get under way. It's another packed house at Old Trafford.

[27 June 2019 10:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will open the batting for India, then. The former has already hit two excellent centuries at this World Cup, so he'll be confident heading into this one.

West Indies will be fully aware of the importance of early wickets. It's Sheldon Cottrell to bowl the first over of the day.

[27 June 2019 10:36 · Callum Rice-Coates]

1.0 India 4-0 KL Rahul 3 Rohit Sharma 1

Rahul gets India off the mark with a push to the offside that brings three runs. Rohit follows that up with a single of his own, and India are up and running. A steady first over from the opening batsmen.

[27 June 2019 10:40 · Callum Rice-Coates]

2.0 India 5-0 KL Rahul 3 Rohit Sharma 2

Kemar Roach takes the new ball at the other end for the West Indies. His first few deliveries are a little short and easily watched by Rahul. But with a bit of adjustment it proves to be an effective over. India manage just one from it.

[27 June 2019 10:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

3.0 India 7-0 KL Rahul 3 Rohit Sharma 3

Another good over from Cottrell, who restricts Rohit well until the batsman edges the ball to third man for a single. India tend not to go after the bowlers in the opening few overs, and the plan here is clearly to get settled, to play with patience on what looks to be an excellent batting surface.

[27 June 2019 10:50 · Callum Rice-Coates]

4.0 India 9-0 KL Rahul 4 Rohit Sharma 4

Just another couple of singles from Roach's second over. The fuller length deliveries are proving more effective against India's openers, but the key for the West Indies is to get quick wickets.

[27 June 2019 10:53 · Callum Rice-Coates]

5.0 India 17-0 KL Rahul 5 Rohit Sharma 11

It's been a slow start from Rohit, but he pounces on a wider delivery from Cottrell, cutting the ball cleanly for the first boundary of the game. India take eight off the over.