That brings us to the end of our coverage of the second T20I between India and West Indies, with the Men in Blue clinching the series with a game to spare. Do join us in our coverage of the series finale on Sunday. For now, this is Amit Banerjee signing off, bidding you all good night!
Rishabh Pant: As long as the team wants me to bat anywhere, I’m fine. (On the dropped catch) All of us were going for the catch, but in the end it was Bhuvi bhai’s catch, and it’s part and parcel of the game. I just try to clear my head and play according to the situation. (On pick-up shot) The more you practice, the better you get. (On partnership with Iyer) We told each other we’re going to play according to the situation. It’s never easy playing all the games, but in the end this is what I wanted when I became a cricketer. (Powell) I think he was hitting bullets out there. In the back of my mind I was happy also because he’s going to be playing for Delhi also.
Rishabh Pant is the Player of the Match!
Rohit Sharma: You always get scared when you play against these guys. Right from the start we knew it was going to be a bit tough for us. We executed our plans really well, and that’s what I’m proud of. (Bhuvneshwar’s penultimate over) Very critical at that point of time given the situation at that time, and that’s where experience counts. Bhuvi is capable of hitting those yorkers if he wants to, and the odd bouncer. (Kohli’s fifty) His innings was very important, took the pressure off me as well. Started playing those shots which were very pleasing to the eye, and great finish towards the end by Rishabh Pant and Venky Iyer. (On Iyer) Very happy to see how he’s progressed. To see that kind of maturity is very pleasing for the team. We were a little sloppy to be honest.
Kieron Pollard: He (Powell) was phenomenal today. Partnership between him and Pooran almost got us over the line. Pleased with the guys and the consistency they’ve shown today. They have quality opening bowlers, who have been around, and sometimes you have to give respect where respect is due. The spinners bowled well against India.
What a game that turned out to be! West Indies highlighted the firepower in their batting lineup with Powell and Pooran’s fifties, the partnership between the two nearly helping them chase the 187-run target down. But Bhuvneshwar reminded everyone of his usefulness in the white-ball formats with a brilliant penultimate over, and Harshal Patel did well to keep his cool after getting struck for consecutivei sixes by Powell in the final over, his variations going the trick and sealing a narrow win for the Men in Blue. India have had issues in their performances, but somehow have managed to pull through every single time against the West Indians in the ongoing tour, and that is something that bodes well for Rohit Sharma’s men with the World Cup year.
How good has Rohit’s captaincy been so far!
One more series win by team India. Nicely led by Rohit. Bowling with wet ball and defending total was most satisfying for me. #INDvWI
Not the best of runs for the two-time T20 world champions
This is the first time West Indies lost 3 consecutive away T20I bilateral series.
Lost 0-2 v NZ
Lost 0-3 v PAK
Lost 0-2 v IND (so far)#INDvWI
Absolutely breathtaking from Powell today!
Another game where there were far more positives than negatives for West Indies. The way Rovman is striking the ball right now is ridiculous. The talent is there in this squad.
After 20 overs,West Indies 178/3 ( Rovman Powell 68 , Kieron Pollard (C) 3)
Harshal bowls out the final over, with West Indies needing 25. Powell and Pollard collect a single each in the first two, leaving WI needing 23 off the last four. Powell then brings the Windies back in the game with back-to-back sixes, smashing the ball over long on and over deep midwicket! Superb comeback by Patel in the fifth as he restricts Powell to a single with slower ball, leaving West Indies an improbable 10 off the final delivery. Pollard collects a single off the last ball, and that’s the game!
India win by 8 runs and clinch the three-match T20I series with a game to spare!