West Indies leveled the three match T20 series 1-1 in Thiravananthapuram on Sunday that makes it all to play for in the series decider at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. The visitors won the game easily by 8 wickets and 9 balls to spare.
Earlier in the game, West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first on a batsman friendly wicket that got better as the game progressed. KL Rahul impressed in the last game but it was not to be in the 2nd T20 as he got perished cheaply on 11. Hard hitting Shivam Dube was promoted up the order with Rohit Sharma to take the innings forward but the vice captain didn’t looked in great touch and was bowled by Jason Holden on 15.
Shivam Dube failed to time the ball at the start but he later took the charge and dispatched the bowlers for some blows out of the ground. He completed his half century but didn’t got the support from the other end. After his dismissal, India lost the way in the innings as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja could not provide the final flourish that was needed to complete the par score. India scored 170/7 at the end of 20 overs.
West Indies got off to a steady start upfront as Ewin Lewis and Lendl Simmons added 73 runs for the first wicket to put West Indies on the drivers seat. Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant dropped the catch of Lendl Simmons and Ewin Lewis that proved way too costly.
After the dismissal of Lewis, Indian bowlers tried to come back in the game but some counter attacking shots by Shimron Hetmyer didn’t let the bowlers breathe. Virat Kohli completed a brilliant diving catch at long on boundary to send Hetmyer packing but it marked the arrival of Nicholas Pooran, who changed the complexion of the game on his own.
Pooran scored 38 runs off just 18 balls and was well supported by Lendl Simmons(67 off 45) at the other end to take their team to victory.
Here are the best reactions-
Abba Harmonium Bajaty Hen be like#INDvWI
ABBA Harmonium pic.twitter.com/YbQh2eQLhJ— Sundal Khatak✳️ (@sundalkhatak55) December 8, 2019
#INDvWI India should try Samson for few matches, much better prospect.
Even Saini should be called upon, he would be great on Australian bouncy pitches. @BCCI @imVkohli @SGanguly99
— Manoj Girdhar (@manojgirdhar85) December 8, 2019
Me to India’s Fielding performance today #INDvsWI #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/bjNpJ2LcCc
— Manish ? (@IManish311) December 8, 2019
#INDvWI
Nicholas pooran is very very special. He along with Hetmyer can be the match winners for West Indies in all formats.
But very pleasing to see them smoking sixes at will.
But don’t forget Brandon King, he is a very stylish batsman.— Himanshu yadav (@iamhimanshu55) December 8, 2019
Me during 16th over, looking at India’s condition – #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/u1NY0znNPF
— Anita ? (@ImAnitaN10) December 8, 2019
Ravi Shastri Showing Virat’s Catch To Washington Sundar.#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/dcQ5Gc1ZZA
— Abhishek Maurya (@abhishekkkkk30) December 8, 2019
expected ??? #INDvWI https://t.co/o41Biimy5Z
— AN (@anurag_i_am) December 8, 2019
Lendl Simmons is the first player to win two man-of-the-match awards in T20Is against India in India.
at Wankhede in 2016
at Greenfield todayIn 2016 T20 WC semifinal, Simmons was out to Ashwin’s no-ball at 18.
Today, Sundar dropped Simmons at 8.#INDvWI— Kausthub (@kaustats) December 8, 2019
