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India Leads T20 Series 2-1 After Narrow Win Over West Indies

In Indore, India secured a 14-run win over the West Indies on Sunday, grabbing a 2-1 advantage in the ongoing five-match T20 series. Arshdeep Singh and spinner Naman Dhir shared five wickets between them to restrict the visitors to 209 for 7.

  • Arshdeep Singh: 3 wickets for 44 runs
  • Naman Dhir: 2 wickets for 39 runs

Earlier, Abhishek Sharma powered India to a total of 223 runs with a rapid 69 off 30 balls, including five sixes. India had chosen to bat first after winning the toss.

Match Progress and Key Performances

Despite losing opener Sanju Samson early for 3, Sharma exploded, reaching 50 off just 18 deliveries during the powerplay as India raced to 87 for 1. Partner Ishan Kishan contributed 37 runs from 18 balls, hitting one six and six fours before being stumped by Roston Chase.

  • Sharma and Kishan put on 108 runs together off 40 balls
  • Kishan was stumped off Chase’s bowling in the ninth over

The innings suffered a setback when skipper Shreyas Iyer was dismissed lbw by Chase in the same over, triggering a mini-collapse that saw four wickets fall for 20 runs. India ended the innings at 223 in their 20 overs.

West Indies began their chase sluggishly, losing captain Shai Hope for just five runs, bowled by Singh in the second over. The side managed only 54 runs for 1 wicket in the powerplay.

  • Kamil Pooran scored 42 runs
  • Shimron Hetmyer added 43 runs
  • Pooran and Hetmyer combined for 60 runs off 31 balls with five sixes between them

India responded by bringing on Dhir’s offspin, which paid off immediately as he dismissed Hetmyer and Pooran. Indian spinners collectively picked up three wickets during the middle overs, further curbing the West Indies’ momentum.

Sherfane Rutherford fought back with 32 runs off 20 balls, including two sixes, before being dismissed alongside Quentin Sampson who scored 21. This left the West Indies struggling to keep up with the required run rate.

Shamar Springer finished with an unbeaten 35 off 11 balls, striking three sixes in the final over bowled by Axar Patel, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Series Outlook

India now hold a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The fourth T20 is scheduled for Wednesday in Hyderabad.

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