West Indies vs India, 2nd T20I, India tour of West Indies: West Indies hold nerve to take 2-0 lead in tense chase

West Indies extended their lead to 2-0 in the ongoing T20I series after their rollicking performance at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Opting to bat, India posted 152 for seven in their quota of 20 overs but West Indies despite losing wickets regularly chased down the target in 18.5 overs with two wickets in hand.

With the bat India yet again had a horrible start as Shubman Gill gifted his wicket and then the brilliance of Kyle Mayers saw Suryakumar Yadav getting run out for just one run. Ishan Kishan along with Tilak Varma rescued the Indian innings and stitched 42 runs for the third wicket before Kishan departed for 27 runs off 23 balls, which included two fours and two sixes. India yet again was on the back foot after that partnership as Sanju Samson fell for a cheap score. But Varma (51: 41b, 5x4, 1x6) continued impressing as he smashed a vital half-century for the team in a difficult situation. He added a crucial 38-run stand with skipper Hardik Pandya (24: 18b, 2x6) before Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh made handful contributions to power India to the total of 152 for seven. For West Indies Akeal Hosein (2-29), Alzarri Joesph (2-28) and Romario Shepherd (2-28) were the pick of the bowlers.

In the chase, India had a dream start with the ball as skipper Hardik Pandya removed Brandon King for a golden duck and Johnson Charles for two runs in the first over. If this was not enough, Arshdeep Singh then sent Kyle Mayers packing in the fourth over. However, after that, it was all about Nicholas Pooran, who seemed to be batting on a different surface altogether. The keeper-batter counter-attacked the Indian bowlers and smash them all over the park. Pooran stitched 57 runs stand with captain Rovman Powell (21:19b,1x6,1x4) and perished after smashing a brilliant 67-run knock off 47 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes. But after his wicket West Indies crumbled and lost three wickets including Shimron Hetmyer (22:22b, 1x4, 1x6) in the 16th over to see themselves tumbling at 129 for eight. But Alzarri Joesph (10 not out, 8b, 1x6) and Akeal Hosein (16 not out: 10b, 2x4) held their nerves and batted brilliantly to take their side home, winning the game by two wickets. 

Match Summary
India: 152-7 (20)
Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Shubman Gill-2.5 ov), 2-18 (Suryakumar Yadav-3.3 ov), 3-60 (Ishan Kishan-9.3 ov), 4-76 (Sanju Samson-11.2 ov), 5-114 (Tilak Varma-15.5 ov), 6-129 (Hardik Pandya-17.6 ov), 7-139 (Axar Patel-19.1 ov) 

West Indies: 156-8 (18.5)
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Brandon King-0.1 ov), 2-2 (Johnson Charles-0.4 ov), 3-32 (Kyle Mayers-3.4 ov), 4-89 (Rovman Powell-9.5 ov), 5-126 (Nicholas Pooran-13.6 ov), 6-128 (Romario Shepherd-15.1 ov), 7-128 (Jason Holder-15.4 ov), 8-129 (Shimron Hetmyer-15.6 ov)

SCORECARD   

Back to back wins!??

WI win and go 2-0 in the series!#WIHOME #RallywithWI #KuhlT20 pic.twitter.com/AEpNpyPfEX

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 6, 2023

Playing XIs
West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles (wicket-keeper), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell (captain), Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy

India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar

Match Details
Toss: India, elected to bat
Venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana
Start time: 1400 hrs GMT
Match officials: Leslie Reifer, Nigel Duguid ( On-field Umpires); Gregory Brathwaite (TV Umpire); Patrick Gustard (Reserve Umpire); Richie Richardson (Match-referee)

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