On Friday as India clinched the series with an 8-run win against West Indies in the second T20I in Kolkata. In the process, they also achieved a massive feat as they have become the second team to win 100 games in the shortest format.
In 155 games in this format, India won 100 matches and lost 51 while the 4 matches ended in no result. Those 100 wins also included 3 wins in tied games. In the T20 World Cup 2007, India beat Pakistan in a bowl-out game, and in January 2020, they beat New Zealand in two back-to-back super over games.
India played their first T20I match in 2006
Only other team that could achieve this feat before India was Pakistan who won 118 matches out of 189. South Africa (86) and Australia (83) are placed at 3rd and 4th place respectively.
The first T20I was played between New Zealand and Australia on February 17, 2005. However, India took a while to play their first game in the shortest format as they played their first T20I games against South Africa in Johannesburg on December 1 which was their only game before the historic campaign in the T20 World Cup.
A special ? for #TeamIndia in T20Is ?? pic.twitter.com/czrBSeRpR4
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 18, 2022
India won most games against Sri Lanka as they beat the neighbours 14 times in 22 games while they beat Australia 13 times in 23 games. Against Bangladesh, they have the best win/loss ratio (min 5 matches) as they won 10 games and lost just 1 against the Bangla Tigers.
On Friday India posted a total of 186/5 in the 20 overs. Virat Kohli set the foundation with a terrific fifty 52(41) and then Rishabh Pant 52*(28) and Venkatesh Iyer 33(18) gave them the final flourish in the end overs. India added 76 runs in the final 6 overs.
In reply, West Indies had a hit and miss start as their openers didn’t look in the best of touch but Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell took the charge in the middle overs to keep them in the hunt, Pooran scored his second consecutive fifty but it’s Rovman Powell who kept India on their toes.
Even when West Indies required 23 runs in the last 4 balls, he hit two back-to-back sixes but eventually, Harshal Patel held his nerves to seal the series for India.
The third and final T20I match will be played on Sunday.
Also, read Rishabh Pant Was In A Perfect Mindset And Played A Mature Innings: Ajay Jadeja