Mithali Raj stars in close win for India

India's bowlers backed up a strong performance from their batsmen to seal a 10-run win over West Indies in the fourth ODI in Rajkot. The series is now tied at 2-2 with the final ODI to be played at the same venue on January 19.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field on what looked like a good pitch for batting. The India openers Poonam Raut and Neha Tanwar started off slowly and India managed to reach only 38 runs in the 15th over before Tanwar was run out. That brought Mithali Raj to the crease and the tempo of the game changed. Raj looked in fine form as she carted the West Indies bowlers all over the park. She and Raut added 108 for the second wicket before Raut was dismissed for 63. Raj, however, continued in the same vein as she reached her century off 100 balls, the last 50 runs coming off just 34 balls. She was unbeaten on 106 as India reached 216 for 4 in their 50 overs.

West Indies' chase started off strongly as openers Stafanie Taylor and Julian Nero added 127 within 33 overs before they were run out in quick succession. That derailed the chase as the remaining batsmen failed to string together substantial partnerships. Shemaine Campbelle hit some big blows and West Indies were still in with a chance when they needed 13 runs off the last over. However, offspinner Diana David held her nerve to dismiss Campbelle and No. 10 Anisa Mohammed in the final over as West Indies were bowled out for 206.