Shikhar Dhawan extended his excellent Champions Trophy form to the start of the West Indies tour but heavy rain was threatening to ruin the opening one-day international of a five-match series at the Queen&rsquo;s Park Oval in Trinidad on Friday.

Dhawan stroked an assured 87 and featured in an opening stand of 132 with Ajinkya Rahane (62) as the tourists reached 199 for three off 39.2 batting first when torrential midday showers curtailed their innings.

Such was the intensity of the rainfall that a complete abandonment looked likely. However conditions have since improved, and although India&rsquo;s innings has been declared closed, it remains to be seen if time will allow for a minimum of 20 overs to be faced by the West Indies in reply to constitute a match.

Should only 20 overs be possible, the home side will be required to reach a target of 169.

After West Indies captain Jason Holder chose to field on winning the toss on a bright warm morning, India&rsquo;s openers laid the foundation for a formidable total.&nbsp;

They dominated a bowling attack that lacked for genuine potency in the absence of injured fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who has been ruled out of consideration for the first two games after breaking down during the series against Afghanistan two weeks earlier.

Rahane made the most of his opportunity with the experienced Rohit Sharma rested from this campaign following the Champions Trophy.&nbsp;

He was first to the half-century but was also the first wicket to fall, deceived by a slower delivery from fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and offering a simple catch to Holder at mid-on.

Dhawan was then joined by captain Virat Kohil and looked certain to complete an 11th ODI hundred only to fall leg-before to Devendra Bishoo 13 runs short of the landmark.&nbsp;

Leg-spinner Bishoo, who was not considered for any of the three ODIs against the Afghans, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of one for 39 from his allotment of ten overs.

As the skies clouded over India lost another wicket in attempting to accelerate with Yuvraj Singh becoming Joseph&rsquo;s second wicket. Kohli and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were playing with greater urgency when the showers first arrived with India at 189 for three off 38 overs.

They resumed after half an hour but managed just another eight deliveries before the players were again chased off the field by a downpour that has now left the match in jeopardy.

Apart from the recall of Rahane, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is making his ODI debut in this match for India.

(AFP)

Should only 20 overs be possible, the home side will be required to reach a target of 169

Shikhar Dhawan extended his excellent Champions Trophy form to the start of the West Indies tour but heavy rain was threatening to ruin the opening one-day international of a five-match series at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Friday. Dhawan stroked an assured 87 and featured in an opening stand of 132 with Ajinkya Rahane (62) as the tourists reached 199 for three off 39.2 batting first when torrential midday showers curtailed their innings. Such was the intensity of the rainfall that a complete abandonment looked likely. However conditions have since improved, and although India’s innings has been declared closed, it remains to be seen if time will allow for a minimum of 20 overs to be faced by the West Indies in reply to constitute a match. Should only 20 overs be possible, the home side will be required to reach a target of 169. After West Indies captain Jason Holder chose to field on winning the toss on a bright warm morning, India’s openers laid the foundation for a formidable total. They dominated a bowling attack that lacked for genuine potency in the absence of injured fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who has been ruled out of consideration for the first two games after breaking down during the series against Afghanistan two weeks earlier. Rahane made the most of his opportunity with the experienced Rohit Sharma rested from this campaign following the Champions Trophy. He was first to the half-century but was also the first wicket to fall, deceived by a slower delivery from fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and offering a simple catch to Holder at mid-on. Dhawan was then joined by captain Virat Kohil and looked certain to complete an 11th ODI hundred only to fall leg-before to Devendra Bishoo 13 runs short of the landmark. Leg-spinner Bishoo, who was not considered for any of the three ODIs against the Afghans, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of one for 39 from his allotment of ten overs. As the skies clouded over India lost another wicket in attempting to accelerate with Yuvraj Singh becoming Joseph’s second wicket. Kohli and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni were playing with greater urgency when the showers first arrived with India at 189 for three off 38 overs. They resumed after half an hour but managed just another eight deliveries before the players were again chased off the field by a downpour that has now left the match in jeopardy. Apart from the recall of Rahane, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is making his ODI debut in this match for India. (AFP)

India vs West Indies ODI cut short due to torrential rain

India crushed South Africa by eight wickets on Sunday to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals and knock the world`s top-ranked team out of the tournament.

South Africa crumbled from 116 for one to 191 all out in good batting conditions at The Oval before Shikhar Dhawan (78) and Virat Kohli (76 not out) shared a fluent partnership of 128 to lead India to victory with 12 overs to spare.

The defending champions followed hosts England and Bangladesh into the last four and they will be joined by the winners of Monday`s final Group B game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.&nbsp;

South Africa started cautiously after being sent in to bat as Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock added 76 for the first wicket without undue alarm.

Amla raised the tempo with a six over mid-wicket but, on 35, he tried to cut spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and nicked a sharp catch to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

South Africa were 94 for one after 20 overs and De Kock reached a tidy half-century off 68 balls before he was deceived by spinner Ravindra Jadeja and bowled for 53.

South Africa then pressed the self-destruct button with two run-outs in quick succession.

AB de Villiers, on 16, perished trying to pinch a quick single and David Miller (one) was dismissed in farcical circumstances with both batsmen stranded at the same end to leave South Africa struggling at 142 for four.

Their hopes of a substantial total rested on the shoulders of Faf du Plessis but his scratchy knock of 36 ended when he dragged a ball from medium-pacer Hardik Pandya on to his stumps.

Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel soon joined him back in the pavilion and the innings petered out in the 45th over when Imran Tahir became the third run-out victim.

India began their reply positively and both openers had struck sixes before Rohit Sharma drove loosely at Morkel and was caught by wicketkeeper De Kock for 12.

Kohli joined Dhawan and after surviving hostile spells from Morkel and Rabada the pair started to play with more freedom.

Dhawan crunched Morris over mid-on for his eighth four to reach his 50 and the left-hander played some brutal strokes before he skied Tahir to Du Plessis at long-off.

Kohli remained in total control, however, and Yuvraj Singh hoisted JP Duminy over mid-wicket for a huge six to complete the most comfortable of wins for his team.

(Reuters)

India chased down South Africa's 191 with loss of two wickets

India crushed South Africa by eight wickets on Sunday to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals and knock the world`s top-ranked team out of the tournament. South Africa crumbled from 116 for one to 191 all out in good batting conditions at The Oval before Shikhar Dhawan (78) and Virat Kohli (76 not out) shared a fluent partnership of 128 to lead India to victory with 12 overs to spare. The defending champions followed hosts England and Bangladesh into the last four and they will be joined by the winners of Monday`s final Group B game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. South Africa started cautiously after being sent in to bat as Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock added 76 for the first wicket without undue alarm. Amla raised the tempo with a six over mid-wicket but, on 35, he tried to cut spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and nicked a sharp catch to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. South Africa were 94 for one after 20 overs and De Kock reached a tidy half-century off 68 balls before he was deceived by spinner Ravindra Jadeja and bowled for 53. South Africa then pressed the self-destruct button with two run-outs in quick succession. AB de Villiers, on 16, perished trying to pinch a quick single and David Miller (one) was dismissed in farcical circumstances with both batsmen stranded at the same end to leave South Africa struggling at 142 for four. Their hopes of a substantial total rested on the shoulders of Faf du Plessis but his scratchy knock of 36 ended when he dragged a ball from medium-pacer Hardik Pandya on to his stumps. Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel soon joined him back in the pavilion and the innings petered out in the 45th over when Imran Tahir became the third run-out victim. India began their reply positively and both openers had struck sixes before Rohit Sharma drove loosely at Morkel and was caught by wicketkeeper De Kock for 12. Kohli joined Dhawan and after surviving hostile spells from Morkel and Rabada the pair started to play with more freedom. Dhawan crunched Morris over mid-on for his eighth four to reach his 50 and the left-hander played some brutal strokes before he skied Tahir to Du Plessis at long-off. Kohli remained in total control, however, and Yuvraj Singh hoisted JP Duminy over mid-wicket for a huge six to complete the most comfortable of wins for his team. (Reuters)

Champions Trophy: India beat South Africa to enter semis

India announced the 15-member squad for next month&#39;s Champions Trophy, after days of ambivalence over its participation.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan and middle-order batsman Manish Pandey made a comeback but warhorses Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir failed to make the list.

Rohit Sharma, who was out injured since last November due to a thigh injury, has also been included in the squad.

But KL Rahul continues to remain on the sidelines due to an injury he sustained in his shoulder.

Ashwin, who has not participated in the tenth edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League due to a hernia injury, has made himself available for the ICC event.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: BCCI selection committee addressing media in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/b7NAVFQj2x">https://t.co/b7NAVFQj2x</a>
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&quot;Ashwin&#39;s selection was not a difficult decision. He&#39;s had rest, isn&#39;t out of form. We&#39;ve been preparing him for the Champions Trophy&quot; said MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors.

Up-and-coming Rishabh Pant did not find a place either, though Prasad said the selection team are &quot;completely impressed&quot; with his rich vein of form in the ongoing IPL season.

Pant has scored 972 runs at an average of 81 in the tournament.

India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against their rivals Pakistan on June 4.

As reported earlier, the Indian team was announced on Monday morning following days of uncertainty.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India -- the country&#39;s cricket administrators -- had threatened to pull out of this year&#39;s Champions Trophy as it was unhappy with the revamped revenue-sharing model.

Squad:&nbsp;Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane (vice captain), MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Md. Shami,&nbsp;Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey and Jasprit Bumrah

(WION)

Manish Pandey also made a comeback but veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh misses out

India announced the 15-member squad for next month's Champions Trophy, after days of ambivalence over its participation. Opener Shikhar Dhawan and middle-order batsman Manish Pandey made a comeback but warhorses Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir failed to make the list. Rohit Sharma, who was out injured since last November due to a thigh injury, has also been included in the squad. But KL Rahul continues to remain on the sidelines due to an injury he sustained in his shoulder. Ashwin, who has not participated in the tenth edition of the lucrative Indian Premier League due to a hernia injury, has made himself available for the ICC event. #WATCH: BCCI selection committee addressing media in Delhi https://t.co/b7NAVFQj2x — ANI (@ANI_news) May 8, 2017 × "Ashwin's selection was not a difficult decision. He's had rest, isn't out of form. We've been preparing him for the Champions Trophy" said MSK Prasad, the chairman of selectors. Up-and-coming Rishabh Pant did not find a place either, though Prasad said the selection team are "completely impressed" with his rich vein of form in the ongoing IPL season. Pant has scored 972 runs at an average of 81 in the tournament. India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against their rivals Pakistan on June 4. As reported earlier, the Indian team was announced on Monday morning following days of uncertainty. The Board of Control for Cricket in India -- the country's cricket administrators -- had threatened to pull out of this year's Champions Trophy as it was unhappy with the revamped revenue-sharing model. Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane (vice captain), MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Md. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey and Jasprit Bumrah (WION)

India announce Champions Trophy squad; Dhawan returns, Pant misses cut

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India vs West Indies ODI cut short due to torrential rain

Champions Trophy: India beat South Africa to enter semis

India announce Champions Trophy squad; Dhawan returns, Pant misses cut