India earn hard-fought 5-wkt win over Netherlands

After restricting the minnows to a modest 189, the fancied hosts started off with a flourish but lost wickets in a heap before scampering home with 81 balls to spare in what turned out to be another hard-fought win for the hosts.

Yuvraj Singh (51 not out) played another responsible knock to guide the team to the victory target on a slow Ferozeshah Kotla track.

Virender Sehwag (39), Gautam Gambhir (28) and Sachin Tendulkar (27) got the starts but failed to make it count.

With this win, India consolidated their position atop the points table with seven points and were almost certain to qualify to the quarter finals from the group.

Image: Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh plays a shot during a Cricket World Cup match between India and Netherlands in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 9, 2011.

Text: PTI

Images: AP