The Indian captain gave West Indies early evidence that he'll be the wall they will have to knock over in the coming weeks if they are to overcome the visitors, as he struck 10 fours and two sixes in 105 from 102 balls that helped to earn him the man-of-the-match award.

Chasing 252 for victory from their allocation of 45 overs, India reached home with one ball to spare and took the lead in the five-match series, when Mohammed Kaif drove Dwayne Bravo through extra cover for the last of his three boundaries in an undefeated 66 from 91 balls.

Dravid had featured in two important partnerships that helped set up the Indian victory.

He shared 56 for the first wicket with Virender Sehwag, and consolidated his side's position with a 123-run stand with Kaif for the fourth wicket.

Chris Gayle had made hay after the sun emerged and entertained the crowd that half-filled the ground with 18 fours and two sixes in 123 from 131 balls that was the backbone of West Indies' total of 251 for six from their allocation of 45 overs.

He shared two vital partnerships that shaped the West Indies' innings after the home team was sent in to bat. He and Runako Morton put on 87 for the first wicket, then he and his captain Brian Lara added 82 for the third wicket.

Later, Kaif benefited from two slices of fortune that had the potential to change the complexion of the game.

Lara dropped a straightforward chance at cover in the 22nd over off Fidel Edwards, who himself muffed a chance at deep backward square leg when Kaif had 35.

Dravid and Kaif looked like they were bringing it home, when the Indian captain was caught on the long-on boundary off Dwayne Bravo in the 39th over.

More drama was to unfold in the closing overs. MS Dhoni was caught at long-on off Bravo for 18 in the 43rd over, after Jerome Taylor had delivered a maiden in the previous over, and West Indies kept up the pressure until Kaif eased the tension with the winning hit.

Earlier, the start of play had been delayed by an hour, after early morning showers drenched the Jamaica capital.

Earlier, Agarkar made the breakthrough in the 14th over however, when he had Morton caught behind for 23 edging a drive playing off the back-foot.

The second ODI will be contested at the same venue on Saturday, and the third will be played next Tuesday at Basseterre's Warner Park which will be hosting its first ODI.