Spirited West Indies restore parity in the ODI series as India fall short with the bat

Team India crumbled like a house of cards despite an excellent start from their openers as West Indies restored parity with a handsome victory over Hardik Pandya and company. In the second match of the series, winning the toss, West Indies chose to field first and despite a couple of rain interventions, India’s batters could barely escape the stranglehold that was bolstered with every passing delivery by the Islanders.

Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan got off to a fine start, brokering peace with the early movement of the cherry. The duo posted 90 runs for the opening pair before Gudakesh Motie got the better of Gill as the latter wanted to go over the boundary ropes. Kishan fell shortly as a phenomenal catch at point by Alick Athanaze proved to be his unravelling.

The fall of Kishan triggered a collapse in the Indian batting order, in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as they could barely sustain any momentum and West Indies relentlessly exploited the additional bounce and turn on offer to leave India skittled out for 181. Suryakumar Yadav did put up a warring show but that wasn’t enough. Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd were the pick of the Caribbean lot as the duo shared six wickets between them.

West Indies got off to a flyer as Kyle Mayers led the charge while Brandon King was happy to tag along, occasionally steering the cherry to the ropes without breaking a sweat. It was Shardul Thakur who provided the first glimmer of hope for India as Brandon King and Kyle Mayers were removed in the same over, allowing India to sniff out an infringement.

Alick Athanaze and Shimron Hetmyer couldn’t add much to the total either as Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav allowed India to claw their way back in the game as West Indies were in trouble at 91/4. However, the arrival of Keacy Carty allowed West Indies to calm their frayed nerves despite a shaky start from the youngster and eventually walk away with a win.

Shai Hope stayed unbeaten for a 63 while Carty played a crucial knock of 48 as West Indies grabbed the bragging rights, restoring parity in the series. India will now travel to Tarouba for the final game of the series.