India go down in Jharkhand runfest as West Indies level T20I series
A mind-boggling run-fest in Jharkhand saw the Indian bowlers succumbing to an insane batting show from West Indies.
A battle that saw India piling up 249/5 in 20 overs with everyone coming together to forge greatness came undone after the bowlers were peppered mercilessly to every single nook and cranny of the park, with the visitors chasing down the 250-run target with 10 balls to spare.
Winning the toss, West Indies opted to bowl on what was a deadbeat track. India went in with an unchanged combination from the first game. The hosts went flying off the block, as Sanju Samson took over the reins as the aggressor. Abhishek Sharma (20) fell early to Roston Chase.
However, India kept their feet on the pedal, no matter what came along the way. Samson led the charge while Ishan Kishan complemented him perfectly, belting 43 off just 22 balls. Kishan smashed six fours and two sixes while the two added 97 runs for the second wicket.
India lost a couple of quick wickets in the form of Shivam Dube (7) and Samson as Roston Chase got the better of the former while Shamar Springer snuffed out Samson’s fireworks. Samson hammered 82 off just 41 balls, rocking nine fours and four sixes.
Despite West Indies’ double whammy, India maintained their belligerence through the incoming stand of Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma. The pair of Iyer and Verma added 83 runs for the fifth wicket from just 32 balls. Iyer whacked 40 off just 18, clobbering three fours and three sixes. Varma stayed unbeaten for 44 off just 18 balls, rocking three fours and three sixes as well. India posted 249/5 from their allotment of 20 overs.
West Indies were jolted to a rude awakening as they lost two of their key batters inside the powerplay. Kamil Pooran (4) and Shimron Hetmyer (0) was sent packing by Mayank Yadav. Yadav struck again inside the powerplay, getting the better of Rovman Powell (24). However, the Men in Blue failed to double down on the charge and West Indies, riding high on the in-form Shai Hope’s shoulders, pushed India back.
Hope accompanied by Sherfane Rutherford (84) added 120 runs for the fourth wicket as the Indian bowlers were left absolutely frazzled. Kuldeep Yadav did break the partnership by dismissing Rutherford but there was no one stopping Hope on a night where he chose violence.
Hope eventually stayed unbeaten for 102 from just 45 balls while Romario Shepherd clobbered 34 off just 13 balls. West Indies secured a win by six wickets and nine balls to spare. Mayank Yadav was the pick of the Indian lot with figures of 3/36 from his allotment of four overs.
