Chasing 144 to level the two-match bilateral series against West Indies, India were 15 for no loss in two overs when play was called off due to rain here on Sunday at Lauderhill (US). The match started 40 minutes late due to `technical' problems and the lost minutes proved crucial in the end.
An improved bowling performance saw India bundle out West Indies in the 20th over, with Amit Mishra's spell of 3 for 24 the standout performance. After Mishra had provided the opening breakthrough by dismissing Johnson Charles (43), R Ashwin combined well with paceman Jasprit Bumrah to tighten the noose around the West Indies with regular strikes.
West Indies batsmen, who had scouraged the Indian bowlers in the first match, found the going tough and were bowled out in 19.4 overs. Mishra, who replaced Stuart Binny, gave away only 24 runs and dismissed three batsmen and his bowling made a good impact along with Ashwin (2-11), who conceded very few runs in his three overs. Bumrah (2-26) was consistent with his line and length while Mohammed Shami also chipped in with two scalps.
The Indian pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami (2-31) bowled at a good length but were punished when they strayed as the pitch had nothing to offer for the pacers. Charles hoisted Bhuvneshwar, who dug one short, for a massive six over mid-wicket to begin the fireworks even as Shami removed the first match centurion Evin Lewis (7). An unfazed Charles though flicked Shami for another six with the strength of his wrist and followed it up with consecutive boundaries.
Charles had no problem whether he was facing a short ball or a length delivery. The strapping Windies batsman dispatched those balls to the boundary ropes with consummate ease. Mishra struck with his first ball as he saw the back of Charles, who attempted a maximum but found Rahane at long on. Mishra put the brakes on the scoring rate, giving away only four runs in that over. With spinners looking like making an impact, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni introduced left-armer Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled five dots and conceded only one run in the next over. While the first five overs fetched West Indies 50 runs, India conceded only 26 in the next five, bowled by spinners, and also took two wickets. Ashwin foxed a charging Lendl Simmons (19) with a wide ball and had him stumped.
Bumrah had Marlon Samuels (5) caught behind with his first ball while Ashwin had his second wicket when he trapped Kieron Pollard (13) in the next over. West Indies were now struggling. Bumrah cleaned up Andre Fletcher (3) and Mishra returned to get the better of Dwayne Bravo (3) and the very dangerous Carlos Brathaaite (18).
Rahul's ton in vain
Promising Indian batsman Lokesh Rahul's 110 not out went in vain as West Indies managed to defeat India by one run in the nail-biting first T20 International at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Saturday. With India needing 2 runs from the final ball, West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo kept his nerves to dismiss Mahendra Singh Dhoni (43) with a slower one to take the Caribbean side home.
Chasing a mammoth 246, Rahul struck the second fastest century in T20 Internationals to guide India to an almost improbable win before the last ball twist changed the fortunes of the men in blue.
With the century, the Karnataka batsman has now become the third Indian to score a century in all three formats of the game.
The 24-year-old Rahul, who was preferred over regular opener Shikhar Dhawan for the match, made the most of the opportunity, bringing up 89 runs for the third wicket with Rohit Sharma (62) before almost guiding the team to victory with a 107-run stand with Dhoni.
