World Twenty20: Gayle tonic for West Indies

In a game both sides needed to win to retain any real hope of reaching the last four, Gayle was at his swashbuckling best, smashing seven sixes and five fours before he was unluckily run out in the final over.

The left-hander, who was dropped on 46 following a mix-up between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan, put on 80 with fellow opener Shivnarine Chanderpaul (23) to form the basis of a competitive 169 for six.

A conservative Indian chase, however, never threatened the target and the steady flow of wickets meant a late surge never arrived as they finished on 155-9.

India were behind the rate from the outset as their top three all struggled to operate at a run a ball.

When Suresh Raina (32) briefly threatened, following a towering six off Kieron Pollard with back-to-back fours, Gayle introduced himself and immediately had him caught by Darren Sammy at mid-wicket.

"It was a good victory, this is what we wanted," Gayle said. "Hopefully we can now make the semi-finals."