Soldiers and police searched spectators

The start was delayed for half an hour to allow spectators to pass through security checks.

It followed trouble at the three previous games, which culminated in West Indies walking off the field at Rajkot on Tuesday after plastic bottles were thrown at their players.

Gayle was soon into his stride taking three fours and a six off successive balls from Ashish Nehra, who was withdrawn from the attack after conceding 45 from four overs.

His chief support came from Ramnaresh Sarwan, who helped add 148 for the third wicket, but ended on 99 not out when he managed only two of the three runs he needed off the final ball of the innings to reach three figures.

Gayle had earlier been dismissed by Virender Sehwag, when he holed out to Murali Kartik at mid-on in the 40th over.

Early wickets

Dravid kept his composure as the pressure increased

India were soon in trouble in reply as Sehwag went in Merv Dillon's opening over and Sourav Ganguly was caught behind off Pedro Collins for 28.

VVS Laxman and Dravid repaired the damage with a partnership of 103, which ended when Laxman was run out for 66.

Yuvraj Singh contributed a quickfire 30 but when Mohammed Kaif fell for eight, India were up against it.

But Bangar belied his reputation as a dependable and unspectacular Test opener by racing to 50 off only 35 deliveries.

He and Dravid put on 94 in only 10 overs to guide their team home, with Dravid clipping Vasbert Drakes to mid-wicket for two to end the match.

India: S C Ganguly (Capt), V Sehwag, V V S Laxman, R Dravid (Wkt), Yuvraj Singh, M Kaif, M Kartik, J Srinath, Harbhajan Singh, S B Bangar, A Nehra.

West Indies: C H Gayle, W W Hinds, R R Sarwan, S Chanderpaul, C L Hooper (Capt), M N Samuels, R D Jacobs (Wkt), M Dillon, V C Drakes, M V Nagamootoo, P T Collins.