In a showdown that marked the culmination of India’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean and the USA, the West Indies triumphed. They sealed a T20I series win with a dazzling display of batting prowess and tenacious bowling. Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran orchestrated a remarkable chase that left India struggling.
The relentless duo combined forces, crafting an unyielding partnership of 107 runs from 72 balls for the second wicket. Their dynamic performance left India with no opportunity to break through. The Windies’ pursuit evolved into a spectacle, culminating in a victory secured with a comfortable 12 balls to spare. This win marks West Indies’ second consecutive T20I series triumph and their first against India since 2017.
Kyle Mayers’ early departure gave India hope, the Windies responded relentlessly, adding an element of unpredictability.
Despite being cramped for room and facing a rib-rattling delivery, Pooran showcased his resilience by striking back with an authoritative shot that sailed over deep midwicket, announcing his intent. This was followed by an exquisite display of power-hitting as Pooran launched consecutive sixes against Hardik Pandya. He even received a stroke of luck when a Snickometer review overturned an LBW decision, enabling him to continue his onslaught on India’s bowlers.
Yet, amidst Pooran’s remarkable performance, questions arose about India’s tactical choices. Their decision to field six bowlers, a strategy aimed at fortifying their batting depth, backfired. Key moments, such as Mukesh Kumar’s underutilized early overs and Yuzvendra Chahal’s powerplay introduction, appeared to work in West Indies’ favor. Only Kuldeep Yadav managed to curtail the onslaught to some extent, employing varied paces and lengths to maintain a semblance of control.
Despite India’s commendable recovery led by Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma after early setbacks, Roston Chase’s brilliance and the collapse of India’s lower order thwarted their momentum. As the Caribbean rain played its part in shaping the innings, India’s batting potential was curtailed to 165 runs. A fortuitous boundary from the last man, Mukesh, pushed the score to a respectable total but left them pondering what could have been.
With West Indies securing a hard-fought victory, the T20I series unfolded as a testament to the Windies’ determined approach and the challenges faced by India’s tactical decisions. As the cricketing world reflects on this contest, the stage is set for further clashes and strategies that will continue to reshape the narrative of the sport.
Scorecard:
West Indies 171 for 2 (King 85*, Pooran 47) beat India 165 for 9 (Suryakumar 61, Shephard 4-31, Hosein 2-24) by eight wickets.
