India won by 8 runs
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Rishabh Pant
Batter
Bowler
India have clinched the T20I series with a game to spare. They have escaped unhurt. Windies though in their favoured format came very close. In the end though, Bhuvi and Harshal showed their class to undo the efforts of Pooran and Powell. That partnership saw some lusty hits and put the Indians on the back foot. But the final three overs saw some terrific death bowling to outdo a power-packed batting performance. India would be happy as almost every move during the series seems to be coming off for them. And today, they also had dew acting against them as well. Windies would want to go one step better next time. We will be there to get you all the action. But buhbye for now from our team of KAD, Raju P and Siva.
Rishabh Pant: As long as the team wants me to bat anywhere, I am fine. I think inside the circle, everyone was looking for that catch (Powell) to be taken and we thought it was Bhuvi's catch but it happens and it's part and parcel of the game. I don't mind playing the situation and not only at the death. The more you practice, the better you get. The only thing we (during partnership with Venkatesh Iyer) were talking was we will play according to every ball. It is never easy to play every game but this is what I have always wanted to do. I always enjoy what I do. He (Powell) was hitting bullets. At the back of my mind I was happy as well as Powell will be playing for Delhi Capitals (smiles).
Rohit Sharma: Always a fear when you are playing against these guys. We knew it would be a little tough. We were very well prepared. Under pressure, we executed all our plans. It was very critical given the point of time. Experience plays a part. He (Bhuvi) was hitting those yorkers and that odd bouncer. We believe in his talent. It was very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn't start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye. Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well. Very happy to see how he (Venkatesh Iyer) has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team. We were a bit sloppy on the field. A little disappointed with that. The game would have been different had we taken those catches.
Kieron Pollard: He (Powell) was phenomenal today. His partnership with Pooran almost got us over the line. We did well to take it as deep as we can. We can look at different ways as to how we could have gotten those 8 runs. At the end of it, we can look at so many ways. He (Chase) has bowled well. He came in and showed us something. Again he delivered for us. We can't just call batters out. Was a very good game. We sort of rectified our mistakes from the previous games.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: I was just believing in myself, Rohit told me that if I can give just 9-10 runs it will be difficult for them, so I just backed myself with the yorkers. There was a bit of dew, but I still backed myself and it came out well. He (Powell) was hitting it pretty hard, probably 200kmph (chuckles). It's always tough to bowl yorkers with the dew. When we bowled the slower balls it wasn't gripping and I changed my plan not to bowl slower balls, so it totally depends on the wicket. These guys are very powerful and if you bowl in their zone and it gets difficult. (The body)Feels good and don't want to say anything on that.
Most successive wins in T20Is for India
9 wins: Jan - Dec 2020
8 wins: Nov 2021 - Feb 2022 *
7 wins: Dec 2012 - Apr 2014
7 wins: Feb - Mar 2016
7 wins: Mar - Jul 2018
Three wickets lost is the fewest by West Indies in a run-chase where they failed to chase the target
The only other instance of a team losing 3 or fewer wickets in a failed run chase in an uninterrupted T20I was by Bangladesh (179/1) vs West Indies (197/4) in Mirpur in 2012
22:46 Local Time, 17:16 GMT, 22:46 IST: Wet ball, flat wicket and some dynamic power hitters. Windies had everything going for them but the duo of Harshal Patel and Bhuveneshwar Kumar clinched it for India in the last three overs. The partnership before that between Powell and Pooran had dragged Windies very close. The Indian skipper had started losing his cool as well with a few catches going down and some big hits disappearing into the stands. But Bhuvi provided the breakthrough as well as bowled a superb penultimate over to give some cushion to Harshal Patel who bowled the final over. Powell tried for the last minute surge with 23 needed off 4 balls but the 'remember the name' sage at the same venue didn't have an encore. Earlier, India had set up 187 as a target after Pant and Iyer's pyrotechnics gave them a good total to defend. The dew was supposed to come in and that saw Chahal being bowled out a little early. The middle overs didn't yield wickets at all for the Indian bowlers but they did enough to pip their opponents. Back with the presentations in a bit.
END OF OVER 20
16 Runs
WI: 178 - 3
1 1 6 6 1 1
Kieron Pollard
3 (3)
Rovman Powell
68 (36)
Harshal Patel
4-0-46-0
Harshal Patel to Pollard, 1 run, slower one, well disguised again and Pollard pushes that down into the on-side for a single. India win and take the series 2-0. They sneak a win by 8 runs actually. The last three overs clinch it for them
Harshal Patel to Powell, 1 run, and a wet ball and Harshal Patel executes a slower ball well disguised. That was a fuller one outside off and Powell just can drag it down to long-on. Only a single. India should breathe easy from here on. 10s aren't possible in cricket
Aakash: Every time I doubt Bhuvi in my mind he comes back and delivers. Champion Bowler
Harshal Patel to Powell, SIX, how do I measure that? Lightyears scale available? That was in the arc and that has travelled to some nearby park. Rohit just has agony on his face. 11 off 2 balls now. Harshal Patel must have all his nerves jangling and dangling.
Rohit has a word with Harshal Patel. Don't go by his numbers, Patel has done well so far.
Harshal Patel to Powell, SIX, fuller length delivery, Powell gets under it and slams that over long-on. That was flat and long. Those long muscular hands destroy that leather. 17 still needed
Harshal Patel to Pollard, 1 run, only sixes from here on will do it for the visitors. Fuller, wider, Pollard throws his willow at that to slam it down to long-off for a single. 23 needed off 4 balls
Harshal Patel to Powell, 1 run, in the yorker zone. Powell gets his bat down in time and digs it out for a single. 24 needed off 5 balls has to have India's name written on it. Unless, the KP show rules the roost
END OF OVER 19
4 Runs
WI: 162 - 3
1 0 W 1 1 1
Rovman Powell
54 (32)
Kieron Pollard
1 (1)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
4-0-29-1
Bhuvneshwar to Powell, 1 run, now you have another reason staring at you as to why this guy rakes in so much of moolah at the IPL. Only four runs off the penultimate over while bowling to some top notch T20 mercernaries. Was an inch perfect blockhole delivery and was dragged down to deep mid for a single
Bhuvneshwar to Pollard, 1 run, excellent thinking from Bhuvneshwar to drop it short. Pollard pulls that down to deep square for a single. India have been fantastic. Patel and Kumar have been exemplary so far
Parth: Harshal can be Bumrah's death overs partner.
Bhuvneshwar to Powell, 1 run, whoa! Is there is a power meter? How much power was infused into that short arm drilled hit to long-off? He bullied that for the man at long-off - Bishnoi - to absorb the sting of the shot. 27 needed now
Kieron Pollard, right handed bat, comes to the crease
100+ partnerships for WI vs India in T20Is
126 E Lewis - J Charles (1st wkt) Lauderhill 2016
112*E Lewis - M Samuels (2nd wkt) Kingston 2017
100 N Pooran - R Powell (3rd wkt) Kolkata 2022
Bhuvneshwar to Pooran, out Caught by Ravi Bishnoi!! The cauldron at the Eden must have felt like a relentless pressure cooker but Bishnoi has pulled off a good catch. The young man had dropped one earlier, that could have been playing on his mind. But he back tracked, held his balance and took that with his fingers pointing upwards. He tumbled down as well but managed to cling to it. That was a knuckle ball angled across and the batter ended up slicing it high. The Indian team staging a comeback with some fine death bowling. Pooran c Ravi Bishnoi b Bhuvneshwar 62(41) [4s-5 6s-3]