Nicholas Pooran and Bradon King. (Photo Source: Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The five-match T20I series between the West Indies and India finally came to an end, with the Rovman Powell-led side clinching the series after winning the fifth and final T20I.
The game began with India coming in to bat first after winning the toss. The side’s top-order woes continued as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were sent packing early for five and nine runs, respectively. However, star batter Suryakumar Yadav put forth a brilliant performance with the bat. Scoring 61 runs in 45 deliveries, the 32-year-old’s knock stabilised the innings for India.
Furthermore, with Tilak Varma’s 27-run push and the middle order’s valiant effort, India posted 165 runs on the board in the first innings. Speaking of the West Indies, Romario Shepherd was undoubtedly the star of the first innings. Taking four wickets and conceding 31 runs in four overs, Shepherd’s spell was crucial in limiting India to a reasonable total. Akeal Hosein and Jason Holder took two wickets each, with Roston Chase striking once.
Nicholas Pooran-Brandon King prove too much to handle for India during run chase
Aiming to chase down a target of 166 runs in the second innings with the T20I series on the line. The West Indies’ top order put together a fabulous performance. After the early dismissal of opener Kyle Mayers, Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran finished the job for their side.
Both contributed to an exceptional partnership, which was crucial in winning the match and the series as well. Pooran scored 47 runs in 35 deliveries but had to eventually depart in the dying stages.
However, Brandon King stood strong and won the game for his side by scoring 85* runs in 55 deliveries. Furthermore, Shai Hope added 22* runs on the board as well. The Windies, who had struggled quite a lot in recent months made a statement and proved their worth by clinching the T20I series against a comparatively strong Indian team.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the fifth WI-IND T20I:
Akeal Hosein is a outstanding cricketer. Bowls tough overs .
Bowls in powerplays against left handers & gets them out . Terrific attitude !! top fielder and very handy with bat #WIvsIND
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) August 13, 2023
Surya is playing on different surface? Brilliant 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 13, 2023
Cricket mein breaks nahin…breaks mein cricket chal raha hai aaj 😂🤪🫣
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 13, 2023
Deserved winners of a closely fought series, well played and congratulations @windiescricket 👏🏾 Much needed series win to lift West Indies cricket. #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/EoPhzNDYbS
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 13, 2023
India has been a very very ordinary limited overs side for sometime now. They have been humbled by a West Indies side that failed to qualify for the T20 WC few months back. We had also lost to Ban in the ODI series. Hope they introspect instead of making silly statements #IndvWI
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 13, 2023
🤐🤐🤐🤐
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) August 13, 2023
Some cheers for the @windiescricket and their fans tonight but a major setback for #TeamIndia and their fans tonight. The Men in Blue would want to put this tour behind them. Lots of food for thought for Team India!! They’ll have to go back to the drawing board!
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) August 13, 2023
The Indian cricket team is nothing without its senior players!
Hence proved.#WIvIND #ViratKohli𓃵 #HardikPandya
— Anuj Jhawar (@sadlysarcaastic) August 13, 2023
Umpiring in this match 🤦♂️😱
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 13, 2023
Rovman Powell as captain in the last two T20i series
1) Won the series in South Africa 2-1.
2) Won the series against India 3-2.
First back to back T20is series win for WI in 6 years.
Westindies are well and truly back.#WIvIND #CricketTwitter
— Mishra ji (@cric_blogspot) August 13, 2023
@windiescricket take the series 3-2! First time they have beaten #India in a 5-match T20I series. #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/xc1i1XE41Y
— Abdul Waheed Rabbani (@waheedrabbanipk) August 13, 2023
Its Independence day in Pakistan
And all they talked about India on the 14th of August,
Living rent free. 😅
Pakistani after west indies won the series against India #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/SgOBnNMyWF
— Ash (@Ashsay_) August 13, 2023