West Indies vs India, 5th T20I, India tour of West Indies: King, Pooran lord over India, as West Indies claim series 3-2

It was a remarkable end to the five-match T20I series between West Indies and India as the series decider at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida, saw the host asserting their authority over the visitors. Batting first, India posted 165 for nine, which the Rovman Powell-led side chased in 18 overs to win the series 3-2.

It was a flop show from Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill after their rollicking 165-run stand in the fourth game. After the early blows to the team, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma (27: 18b, 3x4, 2x6) led the rescue charge and stitched 49 runs for the third wicket. But once the latter was back in the hut, India lost wickets at regular intervals as the batters struggled to score runs. Suryakumar Yadav was the lone warrior as he smashed a vital half-century in conditions, where other batters struggled. Yadav scored 61 runs off 45 balls with the help of four boundaries and three sixes and made sure that his side end up with a fighting total. A crucial hand by Axar Patel (13: 10b, 1x6) powered the visitors to a total of 165 for nine. For West Indies, Romario Shepherd was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of four for 31.

Arshdeep Singh drew the first blood for his team in the chase as he removed Kyle Mayers in the second over but after that, Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran took the game away from India as they stitched a sensational 109 runs partnership for the second wicket. The introduction of Tilak Varma into the attack in 14th over changed the fortunes for India as he removed Pooran for 47 runs off 35 balls including one boundary and four sixes. But King made sure that he capitalised on the half-century he made and take his team home. He remained unbeaten on 85 runs off 55 balls with the help of five boundaries and six sixes before Shai Hope (22: 13b, 1x4, 1x6) struck some lusty blows in the end and guided his team to a eight-wicket victory. For India, Arshdeep and Varma picked one wicket each. 

Match Summary
India: 165-9 (20)
Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Yashasvi Jaiswal-0.5 ov), 2-17 (Shubman Gill-2.5 ov), 3-66 (Tilak Varma-7.5 ov), 4-87 (Sanju Samson-10.2 ov), 5-130 (Hardik Pandya-16.2 ov), 6-140 (Suryakumar Yadav-17.5 ov), 7-149 (Arshdeep Singh-18.4 ov), 8-149 (Kuldeep Yadav-18.5 ov), 9-161 (Axar Patel-19.5 ov) 

West Indies: 171-2 (18)
Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Kyle Mayers-1.2 ov), 2-119 (Nicholas Pooran-13.2 ov)

SCORECARD  

Playing XIs
West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wicket-keeper), Rovman Powell (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joesph

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

Match Details
Toss: India, elected to bat
Venue: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida
Start time: 1430 hrs GMT
Match officials: Gregory Brathwaite, Nigel Duguid ( On-field Umpires); Leslie Reifer (TV Umpire); Patrick Gustard (Reserve Umpire); Richie Richardson (Match-referee)

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