West Indies is playing in the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against India. India have won the first match and are looking to clinch the series with a win in the second ODI. West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first. They missed the winning mark by just 3 runs and they wanted to make sure they leave no stone unturned to put pressure on India.
West Indies opener Shai Hope As soon as he came out to bat, he showed some great intentions straight away. Shai Hope, playing his 100th ODI for Team India, had a task on his hands and did exactly what was expected of him. The West Indies opener scored 115 runs off 135 balls to help the hosts post 311 runs. West Indies’ batting was against a strong Indian bowling lineup with players like Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra ChahaliShardul Thakur, and Avesh Khan who debuted for India.
Chasing a huge target of 312, Gill opened with Dhawan. He looked restless for the opening leg of his innings, but with Dhawan at the other end, he was extremely careful with the good balls that were being bowled to him. After a rain delay, when India came out to bat, it was Gill who tried to attack the hosts but was soon dismissed for 43 by Kyle Meyers. Shikhar Dhawan He also failed to lead from the front and scored just 13 runs in 31 balls. As two wickets fell quickly, Shreyas Iyer came out to bat, who looked to be in some fine form. The Mumbai batsman scored 63 runs in 71 balls at a strike rate of 88.73. He did not get much support from the other end as Suryakumar Yadav managed to score 9 runs in 8 balls.
Yadav’s dismissal was followed by Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson, who was dropped from the ODI squad for India’s tour of England. Samson attacked quickly so that he could score fast. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 54 runs in 51 balls, which strengthened India’s position in the match. To his misfortune, he could not last long as Samson was run out by the pair of Shepherd and Meyers.
Still with 50-plus runs to go, Axar Patel was gone and he knew a few wickets here and there would lead to the hosts. Patel wasted no time and started toning the bowlers for boundaries. Akshar finished with a score of 64* in 35 balls which included 3 fours and 1 six.
Akshar’s exploits led India to a series win and the final match will now be played on Wednesday.
India’s Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shubman GillShreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson(w), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan
West Indies Playing XI: Shai Hope(wk), Brandon King, Shamar Brooks, Kyle Meyers, Nicholas Pooran(c), Rovman Powell, Akil Hossein, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Jaden Seals, Hayden Walsh