bowling.
Such a competitive match had seemed highly improbable when the West Indies slumped to 85 for seven.
However, a fighting half-century from Holder, batting at number nine, and some shoddy Indian fielding, helped revive the West Indian cause.
Holder’s highest score in one-day internationals was just 22 until the West Indies’ previous match against South Africa, but made it consecutive half-centuries with some clean hitting.
He was the last man to fall, caught at long on by Virat Kohli for 57 from the bowling of Ravi Jadeja (2-27), having faced 64 balls and hit four fours and three sixes.
Holder’s recovery mission was assisted by India also dropping four catches.
Opener Chris Gayle’s innings of 21 at the top of the order set the tone for a number of the West Indian batsmen, who were seemingly content to gift their opponents cheap dismissals as India’s title defence continued to gather momentum.
Gayle appeared to hold the key to his side posting a big total, and there were danger signs when he struggled to get bat on ball early, playing and missing repeatedly against opening bowlers Umesh Yadav (two for 42) and Mohammed Shami (three for 35).
Despite losing partner Dwayne Smith for just six, continuing his lean tournament, Gayle reverted to type when he tried to hit his way out of trouble.
He played a couple of big shots, but was also dropped on the boundary twice in quick succession.
Another near chance ended with the run out of non-striker Marlon Samuels (two), after the big left-hander didn’t respond to his partner’s call for a single.
Gayle’s own luck ran out when he lofted another shot high to the boundary, where Mohit Sharma completed the catch from the bowling of the returning Shami.
His departure left the West Indies reeling at 35 for three and Denesh Ramdin was bowled by Yadav from the very next ball.
Score Board
West Indies won toss
West Indies
D R Smith c Dhoni b Shami 6
C H Gayle c M Sharma b Shami 21
M N Samuels run out 2
J L Carter c Shami b Ashwin 21
†D Ramdin b Yadav 0
L M P Simmons c Yadav b M Sharma 9
D J G Sammy c Dhoni b Shami 26
A D Russell c Kohli b Jadeja 8
*J O Holder c Kohli b Jadeja 57
J E Taylor c & b Yadav 11
K A J Roach not out 0
Extras (lb 5, w 16) 21
Total (all out; 44.2 overs) 182
Fall: 1-8, 2-15, 3-35, 4-35, 5-67, 6-71, 7-85, 8-124, 9-175, 10-182
Bowling: Shami 8-2-35-3 (5w); Yadav 10-1-42-2 (5w); Ashwin 9-0-38-1 (1w); M Sharma 9-2-35-1 (4w); Jadeja 8.2-0-27-2 (1w)
India
R G Sharma c Ramdin b Taylor 7
S Dhawan c Sammy b Taylor 9
V Kohli c Samuels b Russell 33
A M Rahane c Ramdin b Roach 14
S K Raina c Ramdin b Smith 22
*†M S Dhoni not out 45
R A Jadeja c Samuels b Russell 13
R Ashwin not out 16
Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 19, nb 3) 26
Total (6 wickets; 39.1 overs) 185
Did not bat: M M Sharma, M Shami, U T Yadav
Fall: 1-11, 2-20, 3-63, 4-78, 5-107, 6-134
Bowling: Taylor 8-0-33-2 (1w); Holder 7-0-29-0 (1w); Roach 8-1-44-1 (2nb, 5w); Russell 8-0-43-2 (1nb, 5w); Smith 5-0-22-1 (3w); Samuels 3.1-0-10-0
Result: India won by 4 wickets
Points: India 2, West Indies 0
Man of the Match: M Shami (India)
Umpires: H D P K Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and N J Llong (England). TV umpire: B F Bowden (New Zealand). Match referee: R S Madugalle (Sri Lanka)