Robert Bailey, Star Writer

India, led by a superb innings of 131 runs from Yuvraj Singh, defeated the West Indies by 21 runs in their opening match of their four-match one-day series at Sabina Park yesterday.

The Indians, who won the toss and chose to bat first, racked up a massive 339 for six from their allotted 50 overs, courtesy of Singh, whose innings included 10 fours and seven sixes from 108 balls.

best supported

Singh was best supported by opener Dinesh Karthik, 67, and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 41, with whom he shared in 135 and 86 third- and fourth-wicket stands. India's total was the second-highest ODI score at the ground.

Jerome Taylor, after going for 26 in his first spell of five overs, ended with 1-74 off his allotted 10 overs; his new-ball partner Lionel Baker 1-62; recalled all-rounder David Bernard 1-50; and, spinners Sulieman Benn and Gayle, 0-50 and 0-28, respectively. Bravo, 2-66, was the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, the West Indies, despite fighting knocks from Shivnarine Chanderpaul (63), Ramnaresh Sarwan (45), Ronarko Morton (42) and Captain Christopher Gayle (37), were dismissed for 319 in 48.1 overs.

Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra, who bowled with accuracy at the end, and off-spinner Yusuf Pathan, who unsettled the middle order, were India's best bowlers with 4-49 and 3-54, respectively.

close contest

"It was a very close contest, well tried to the guys," said West Indies captain Gayle after the defeat, which, courtesy of an uncharacteristic creditable all-round batting display, went within 11 balls of what would have been a famous victory. The West Indies were chasing a Sabina Park ODI run-chase record.

huge total

"Chasing such a huge total we were always up against it, but thanks to the team, we were able to close. We will just have to use this as motivation going into the next match, where we will be looking to square the series," Gayle said.

"It was a fantastic effort by Singh. He showed how good he really is," he added.

India captain Dhoni was pleased with the start his team have got to the series.

We knew that with such a target we were in with a very good chance of winning and despite a late rally by the Windies we are to pull it off," he said.