Indian team secured another close victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series against West Indies at Trinidad on Sunday (24 July).
West Indies post a mammoth total riding on Hope’s hundred
Opting to bat first, the Caribbean team had a great start, courtesy of Kyle Mayers’ blistering 23-ball 39.
Once Mayers departed, Brooks continued the momentum and laid a strong foundation alongside Shai Hope
The pitch was good for batting and Hope took full advantage of it as he completed his 13th century in ODI cricket.
West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran (74) chipped in with valuable runs and took off from where Hope left.
However, Shardul Thakur again turned out to be the key wicket-taker and helped the Indian team to restrict the opposition to 311.
India seize the day, thanks to Axar’s heroics
Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill started cautiously and garnered 42 runs in the first 10 overs.
After Dhawan was dismissed by Romario Shepherd, Mayers exhibited his bowling prowess to get rid of Gill (43) and Surya Kumar Yadav (9) in quick time.
However, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson steadied the ship for the visitors by adding 99 runs for the fourth wicket.
Continuing his great form, Iyer slammed his fourth consecutive fifty on Caribbean soil, and was amply supported by Sanju Samson from the other end.
Nevertheless, it took a blinder of an innings from Axar to win another nerve-wracking contest for the Indian team.
The 28-year-old hit his career-best ODI score of 64* off 35, laced with three fours and five sixes.
Brief Scores:
West Indies- 311/6 (50 overs)
Shai Hope 115, Nicholas Pooran 74;
Shardul Thakur 3/54
India- 312/8 (49.4 overs)
Axar Patel 64*, Shreyas Iyer 63;
Kyle Mayers 2/48
Result: India won by 2 wickets