GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC)

India slammed 11 runs off the last over as they stunned West Indies by six-wickets in the rain-marred third Digicel One-Day International to take an impregnable 2-1 lead in the four-match series yesterday.

Chasing a revised target of 159 off 22 overs under the Duckworth/Lewis Method, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni carted fast bowler Jerome Taylor's second ball of the final over mid-wicket for six to leave India needing four runs from as many balls, and they scampered the remaining runs to win with a ball to spare.

Dhoni finished unbeaten on 46 from 34 balls to earn the Man-of-the-Match honour and ensure that Sunday's final ODI would be must-win for the Windies. Sent in to bat after losing the toss at the scenic Beausejour Stadium, West Indies were harassed by the bothersome rain and eventually finished 186 for seven after the match was reduced to 27 overs for each team.

initial reduction

The weather, which caused a two-hour delay at the start and forced an initial reduction to 41 overs, returned again mid-way through the innings to cause a further reduction to 27 overs.

Ramnaresh Sarwan top-scored for the Windies with 62 from 59 balls while skipper Chris Gayle bludgeoned 27 from 14 balls with six fours at the top of the order.

Left-armer Ashish Nehra claimed three for 21 to be India's best bowler and was well supported by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who finished with two for 35.

In pursuit of 195 under the D/L Method, India got off to a merry start when Denesh Karthik and Gautam Gambhir put on an entertaining 84 off 73 balls.

India seemed poised to run away with the game without losing a wicket but Rampaul's direct hit from point in the 13th over changed the scenario for West Indies.

Rain at 95 for one in the 14th over gave India a revised target of 159 and Dhoni then held the innings together despite the loss of three more wickets, to carry his side home in a thrilling finish.