Florida| Aug 13, 2023: In a dramatic showdown, West Indies emerged victorious over India in the crucial T20 series, marking their first triumph in a multi-match T20 series against India in six years. The fifth and final match proved decisive, with West Indies securing an exhilarating victory by 8 wickets.
From the outset, the West Indies side showcased dominance, putting India on the back foot. India’s decision to bat first did not pan out as planned, resulting in a challenging start. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma came to the rescue, rescuing the Indian innings. Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive 61-run performance was the highest individual score, while Tilak Verma’s crucial 27 runs and 19 runs in a single over by Alzari Joseph added vital runs to India’s total.
Despite the efforts of the Indian team, they managed to score 165 runs and set a target of 166 runs for the West Indies. In a tense chase, West Indies’ batsmen showcased remarkable skill, with Brandon King leading the charge with a magnificent score of 85 runs. Nicholas Pooran contributed significantly with a knock of 47 runs, and Shay Hope’s 22 runs added to the team’s momentum, ultimately securing victory with 2 wickets remaining.
The West Indies, under the leadership of Rovman Powell, achieved a historic win in the T20 series, ending a six-year-long drought against India in multi-match T20 series. With this win, West Indies claim the T20I series with a margin of 3-2, marking their second victory over India in a T20I series of more than one match. The previous instance was in 2017, when West Indies defeated India in a 1-match T20 series.
This thrilling victory highlights the West Indies’ resurgence in the T20 format, with Brandon King’s standout performance and the collective efforts of the team sealing their triumph over India.
