West Indies have beaten India by 2 wickets runs in a thrilling second T20I of the five-match series at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Sunday (August 6). While India won the toss and elected to bat first, riding on youngster Tilak Varma's maiden half-century (51 off 41) in just his second international appearance, India posted 152/7. In response, West Indies lost early wickets but Nicholas Pooran's counter-attacking knock (67 off 40) kept them in the match. Post his wicket though, West Indies did witness a dramatic batting collapse but in the end Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein took the home team over the line. As a result of the victory, the Men from the Caribbean have taken a 2-0 lead, winning two back-to-back T20Is against India for the first time since 2016. India also lost two international matches in a row against West Indies for the first time in over 12 years.
For West Indies, Joseph and Hosein before their role with the bat in ensuring a West Indies win with 7 balls to spare, were also amongst the wickets. Joseph scalped 2 for 28 off his 4 overs while Hosein also picked 2 wickets for 29 runs in his spell. Romario Shepherd also scalped a couple of wickets, giving away 28 runs from his 4 overs. Other than Varma, Ishan Kishan made 27 off 23 while Hardik Pandya chipped in with 24 off 18.
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In the run-chase, Player of the Match Pooran took the attack to the opposition and it was perhaps his dominating presence that India did not go to their left-arm spinner Axar Patel despite having him in the side. Captain Hardik was the best performer for India with the ball, returning with figures of 3 for 35 while Yuzvendra Chahal despite picking 2 for 19 did not return for his final over, a decision which was met with criticism by on-air commentators. Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar were the other wicket-takers.
The third match of series will be played at the same venue on August 8 (Tuesday).