A win in the first match followed by another win in the 2nd T20I of the 5-match series meant that West Indies are enjoying a formidable lead of 2-0 in the 5-match series. A win by defending 149 in the first T20I while WI successfully chased down 152 in the 2nd T20I to be on top at the beginning of the series.
Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Batting first, India lost Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav cheaply. A 42-run stand for the 3rd wicket between Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma and a 38-run stand for the 5th wicket between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya ensured India got to a competitive total.
Tilak who was India's mainstay at the crease was dismissed in the 16th over but not before scoring a brilliant 41-ball 51. His maiden half-century for India. Surely the confidence he brought from the IPL tournament was amazing.
During the run-chase, West Indies were reduced down to 32/3 inside the powerplay and suddenly the target looked insurmountable! Then Nicholas Pooran played a valiant knock scoring 67 runs off just 40 deliveries which brought WI almost close to victory.
However, Windies were reduced from 126/4 to 129/8 in the space of 2 overs with India smelling a victory at that point! Akeal Hosein then stepped along with pacer Alzarri Joseph and this pair shared an unbeaten 26-run stand for the 9th wicket to take them with 7 balls to space!
Nicholas Pooran bagged the Player of the Match award for his superb knock with the bat. The third T20I of this 5-match series will be played on Tuesday (Aug 08).
Brief Scores: West Indies defeated India by am margin of 2 wickets
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