Hope's century saves West Indies as game ends in a tie

Despite this thrilling tie, India successfully maintained the 1-0 lead in the series with 3 more games to go

The second India vs West Indies ODI in Vishakhapatnam ended in a tie. While chasing a huge total of 322 runs, Shai Hope hit a last-ball four to Umesh Yadav to draw the game. On the other hand, it was India's first draw in an ODI match under Virat Kohli's captaincy. However, the hosts successfully maintained the 1-0 lead in the series with 3 more games to go.

In reply to India’s 321, the Caribbean guests couldn’t pull out a decent start as they lost opener Kieran Powell in the seventh over. He ended up scoring 18 runs off 20 balls.

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Soon, West Indies faced another blow as Kuldeep Yadav bowled Chandrapaul Hemraj out in the 10^th over and reduced them to 64/2. Despite losing both their openers, the guests managed a run rate higher than required.

India tasted another success in the 12^th over. Marlon Samuels, who was playing the 200^th ODI of his career, was left completely bamboozled by Kuldeep and returned to the dressing room after scoring 13 runs off 10 deliveries.

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A bit of pressure surmounted on West Indies but the pair of Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope showcased a brilliant batting performance to take their team on top. The duo shifted the gear and scored runs at an increased pace.

Meanwhile, both got their respective half-centuries and went on to stitch a 150-run partnership for the 4^th wicket before Chahal removed dangerous looking Hetmyer in the 32^nd over. He missed his century by mere six runs and returned pavilion with 94 runs against his name.

After Hetmyer’s departure, Hope took the driving seat and charged the Indian bowlers much harder. Amid the wicket fall at the other end, Hope brought up his 2^nd ODI century which propelled their run chase while the Indians looked tensed as they were failing to stop the run flow.

The spinner trio put a little check in the death overs and took the game too close. Skipper Jason Holder (12) fell in 48^th over while a nervous run out of Ashley Nurse (5) in the last over gave a bit of hope to the Indian fans of a thrilling victory. But Hope turned the game upside off the last ball with his brilliant boundary, ending the game in a tie.

Hope remained unbeaten on 123. His innings included 3 sixes and 10 fours.

Kuldeep Yadav showed his worth again with three wickets.

Earlier today, opting to bat, Kohli fired 157 off 129 balls, while Ambati Rayudu, who is seen as the answer to the team's persistent problems at the number four slot by Kohli himself, made a fluent 73 off 80 deliveries.

The 29-year-old Kohli, who hit 13 boundaries and four sixes, bettered the iconic Sachin Tendulkar's record by an incredible 54 innings, and then went past 1000 runs in the calendar year in only 11 innings, which is also the fastest.

Brief Scores:

India: 321 for 6 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 157 not out; Ashley Nurse 2/46)

West Indies: 321 for 7 in 50 overs (Shai Hope 123, Shimron Hetmyer 94; Kuldeep Yadav 3/67)