India level T20I series with nine-wicket win over Windies

INDIA levelled the five-match T20 International series against West Indies 2-2 after pulling off a magisterial display with the bat to notch an emphatic nine-wicket victory at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, West Indies did well to score a formidable 178/8 in their 20 overs faced.

However, India meant business and raced to a victorious 179/1, with three overs remaining, to level the series, heading into Sunday’s final match at the same venue.

When West Indies batted, they had a fair start from openers Brandon King (18) and Kyle Mayers (17). Shai Hope (45) also had a good knock in the middle but skipper Roman Powell and Nicholas Pooran failed to fire this time around, both scoring one run each.

Guyanese batsman Shimron Hetmyer bolstered the innings with his best knock of the series so far, smashing 61 from 39 balls, which comprised four sixes and three fours.

The lower order whittled away quickly despite Odean Smith finishing on 15 not out, while Romario Shepherd (nine) and Jason Holder (three) also misfired.

Indian fast bowler Ashdeep Singh was their main destroyer with the ball as he picked up 3/38 and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav grabbed 2/26.

In reply, India’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (84 not out) and Shubman Gill (77) went on to score their nation’s joint-highest opening partnership of 165.

Jaiswal and Gill were ruthless with the bat and punished the maroon bowlers all across the US ground despite their pursuit of a relatively strong target.

Jaiswal rallied to the end and was supported by youngster Tilak Varma (seven not out) to the end.

West Indian pacer Shepherd took the lone wicket of Gill, who was caught by Hope.

The fifth and final T20I between the two nations bowls off at 10.30 am on Sunday.