Sport
Majestic King leads West Indies to T20 series win
‘It’s a very big series for us to beat India at home’
August 13, 2023 | 11:46 PM
Brandon King’s superb unbeaten 85 led West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India yesterday to secure a 3-2 victory in their T20 series.Set a target of 166 to win the fifth and deciding contest, in Lauderhill, Florida, West Indies reached their target with two overs to spare with Nicholas Pooran scoring 47 in a partnership of 107 with King.The win was a morale-booster for West Indies cricket after the one-day team failed, last month, to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.King’s highest T20 international score came from 55 balls with six sixes and five fours and he kept his focus despite a delay to the game following a lightning warning.Shai Hope, who steadied the ship after Pooran was removed by Tilak Varma, with the spinners second ever ball in international cricket, clinched the victory with a straight six off Yashasvi Jaiswal.Star batter Suryakumar Yadav struck 61 as India made 165 for nine while Romario Shepherd took 4-31 in his four overs as West Indies’ bowling attack delivered a much better performance than in their emphatic defeat on Saturday which left the five-match series at 2-2.West Indies made two changes with off-spinner Roston Chase and pace bowler Alzarri Joseph coming in for Odean Smith and Obed McCoy and there was a better balance and performance from that line-up.Opening pair Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who put on a match-winning 165 run partnership on Saturday, were both dismissed cheaply by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein.Tilak Varma looked dangerous before he went for 27 off 18, caught and bowled by Chase but Yadav’s innings kept India’s hopes alive.Medium pacer Shepherd took care of the lower middle order as West Indies were set a target of 166 to win the series.West Indies had led the series 2-0 before India fought back to set up yesterday’s clincher.Rovman Powell, the West Indies skipper, said yesterday: "It’s difficult to put words to (describe the feeling). Adjectives are inadequate for our feelings. It’s a big series. It’s a very big series for us to beat India at home with everything going on. Last night after we got defeated badly we sat down and talked. We are not just playing to put smiles on our faces but for the people.”He added: "A lot of credit to the coaching staff and also the chairman. Yesterday we could have easily panicked but they sat me down and we talked about where we could go. I am big on individual performances and when individuals do well it helps the teams. Pooran is a big performer. We asked him to stand up for three out of fives games. Credit has to be given to the bowling unit as well for trying to control such a powerful Indian team.”BRIEF SCORESIndia 165 for 9 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 61, Tilak Varma 27; Akeal Hosein 2-24, Jason Holder 2-36) lost to West Indies 171 for 2 in 18 overs (Brandon King 85 not out, Nicholas Pooran 47, Shai Hope 22 not out; Arshdeep Singh 1-20) by 8 wicketsSeries: West Indies won 3-2
August 13, 2023 | 11:46 PM