Axar Patel smashed a whirlwind unbeaten 35-ball 64, a maiden ODI fifty for him, as India scripted a sensational series-clinching two-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second fixture at the Port of Spain on Monday (July 25) morning. Chasing down a tough target of 312, the visitors were five wickets down for 205 runs in 38.4 overs before Patel's heroics revived India's chase, with his six-hitting prowess taking India home with two balls to spare.
Axar Patel at his best
India needed six runs off the last three balls before Axar smashed the ball over bowler Kyle Mayers' head to gift the Men in Blue both the match and the series. With Monday's win, India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Patel smashed five sixes and three fours in his unbeaten innings, setting a 51-run stand with Deepak Hooda (33) to keep his team in the hunt.
This was after Shreyas Iyer (63) and Sanju Samson (54) tried to take the chase deep with well-paced fifties.
West Indies' Shai Hope gave them ‘hope’
Earlier, opting to bat first, West Indies' Shai Hope produced a masterclass 135-ball 117, while skipper Nicholas Pooran displayed his big-hitting prowess with six maximums and a four during his 74 off 77 balls as the Windies posted an impressive 311 for six.
Hope played the role of an anchor to perfection when he added 65 runs with opener Mayers (39), before forging another 62-run stand with Shamarh Brooks (35). For India, the spin duo of Patel (1/40) and Hooda (1/42) were economical but Yuzvendra Chahal (1/69) was expensive as he was smashed for six sixes and two fours.
In reply, Shubman Gill (43) started off well, with five boundaries as India got off to a decent start. But skipper Shikhar Dhawan (13) faltered at the other end. The India skipper was the first to depart with Mayers producing a stunning catch at third man off the bowling of Romario Shepherd.
Mayers then pushed India back with two quick wickets, first getting rid of a well-set Gill and then dismissing Suryakumar Yadav (9), who once again dragged one to his stumps. Iyer and Samson had a 99-run partnership off 94 balls but after their wickets fell, India still needed 105 runs from 11 overs.
It was an all-Patel show after that as he kept fighting despite losing Hooda and Shardul Thakur.
Mohammed Siraj (0/47) bowled well but Avesh Khan (0/54 in 6 overs) had a forgettable ODI debut, while Thakur (3/54) made amends in the back end with three wickets.
