Invincible India once again Exhibit a Classy Death Bowling against a Toothless West Indies
India emerged out victorious against West Indies by 17 runs. India white-washed West Indies & won the Paytm Trophy by 3-0. Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid now have won 2 T20I Series(*New Zealand toured India in November 2021). India’s selection throughout the T20I Series was bang on, where they backed youngsters in the form of Ishan Kishan & Venkatesh Iyer. Backing & Investing in youngsters was the need of the hour & the combo of Rohit and Dravid did that. One point should be noted that India’s pace department was without Shami & Bumrah. West Indies on the other hand would be shocked; they came in India after defeating England by 3-2 in West Indies. West Indies erratic nature makes them a deadly but it doesn’t mean that they lose a T20I Series that too with a huge margin. West Indies are set to play T20 World Cup 2022 Qualifiers which doesn’t sound good as they are the only Nation in T20 World Cup who have won 2 Titles. West Indies need to pull their socks up. Having big names doesn’t mean you win matches which now Selection Committee would have known. After all the game of Cricket is being played on field not on paper.
West Indies had opted to bowl first. India managed to pile on more agony as India’s batters amassed 184 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. In response to 185 target West Indies had a lively power-play. West Indies managed to score 68 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the power-play overs. The required run rate was less than 10 which made the contest a spicy one as India’s pacers weren’t allowed to bowl any casual deliveries. Nicholas Pooran once again displayed his puissant batting. He scored a knock of 61 runs in 47 balls. He attained one of the feats as he scored 3 back-to-back half-centuries in the T20I Series, When Pooran was dismissed it looked as if the run chase was over, then came the all-rounder Romario Shepherd. The swashbuckling all-rounder Romario Shepherd smacked the ball all around the park.
West Indies required 37 runs to win in the last 3 overs. It looked as if this West Indies would get over the line, but India’s death bowlers: Shardul Thakur & Harshal Patel had another ideas. Both the bowlers took wickets at regular intervals. India defeated 184 runs & won the match by 17 runs. Harshal Patel the cunning fast bowler was the pick of the bowlers as he took 3 wickets & gave away 22 runs in his spell of 4 overs. The likes of Shardul Thakur & Deepak Chahar took 2 wickets each. India’s death bowling has improved significantly which is a huge positive aspect.
India were asked to bat first. India had a decent power-play where they managed to score 43 runs. India handed the cap to Ruturaj Gaikwad who had a forgettable debut as he scored 4 runs in 8 balls. At the end of 10 overs India’s score was 68 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. West Indies bowlers were bang on as they didn’t allow any batter to settle down.
The batters Suryakumar Yadav & Venkatesh Iyer got their eye in. Both the batters went in beast mode as India scored 86 runs in the last 5 overs. The flamboyant Suryakumar Yadav scored 65 runs in 31 balls whereas the Elegant Venkatesh Iyer scored 35 runs in 19 balls. The onslaught by these 2 batters was a treat to watch, as the boundaries were just raining. The Captain Kieron Pollard was helpless as his bowlers were getting smashed literally all around the park. All of a sudden the momentum of the match shifted which gave India a solid chance.
India would be enthralled as the entire nation witnessed a mesmerizing hitting. Suryakumar Yadav showed that there is technique too hit stupendous sixes whereas Venkatesh Iyer showed his astuteness by playing a short cameo. All in all BCCI & team management would be delighted as their process is exhibiting mind blowing results. It would be too early to say but India’s new era looks promising to clinch the T20 World Cup 2022.
