Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel produced superb bowling in slog overs as India survived some anxious moments before walking out with an eight-run win over West Indies in the second T20I that handed them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Friday.
Half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were backed by a spirited bowling performance at the death as India defeated West Indies by eight runs on Friday to gain an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Chasing 187, Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell kept West Indies in the chase, with the visitors needing 63 to win off the final five overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar And Venkatesh Iyer Praised By Skipper Rohit Sharma
It was a third successive series win for Rohit Sharma after being appointed the full-time captain and the 34-year-old opener heaped praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience.
“Always a fear when you are playing against these guys. We knew it would be a little tough. We were very well prepared. Under pressure, we executed all our plans. It was very critical given the point of time. Experience plays a part. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hitting those yorkers and that odd bouncer,” he said in the post-match presentation.
He also underlined Venkatesh Iyer’s growth and spoke about the maturity that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) recruit has shown. The Indian team is currently searching for someone like Venkatesh Iyer, who brings all-round skills to the table along with strengthening the middle order. He also has the ability to chip in with a few overs.
“Very happy to see how he (Venkatesh Iyer) has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team,” Rohit Sharma further said.
The equation was 28 runs needed from nine balls when Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Nicholas Pooran (62) in the penultimate over to tilt the game in India’s favour. The seasoned pacer conceded just four runs off the penultimate over before Harshal Patel defended 25 runs in the final over.
Rohit Sharma Admitted India Was A Little Sloppy On The Field
The white ball skipper admitted that the team had a hit-or-miss day on the field and called for a much-improved effort in the future.
“We were a little sloppy in the field, a little disappointed with that. We could have done better if we had taken those catches. We want to try and minimise those mistakes moving forward.”
Earlier, Virat Kohli also seemed to have found his lost mojo as he scored his 30th fifty in the shortest format. Rishabh Pant later hit a quickfire half-century and put up 76 in just 5.5 overs with Venkatesh Iyer. Chasing a stiff 187, wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran (62 off 41 balls) and Rovman Powell (68 not out from 36 balls) hit belligerent fifties to keep West Indies in the hunt for an unlikely win.