NEW DELHI: After losing the first two matches, India made a strong comeback by securing victories in the subsequent two games, thus leveling the series. However, their momentum faltered in the deciding match, resulting in their first T20 series loss to West Indies since 2017.
Opting to bat first, India managed to post a total of 165/9 in 20 overs, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav's composed knock of 61 runs off 45 balls.
In reply, Brandon King (85 not out), along with Nicholas Pooran (47) helped West Indies secure a eight-wicket victory.
1/10:5th T20I: West Indies beat India to win series
AP
2/10:3-2 series victory
<p>Brandon King's unbeaten 85 led West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India to secure a 3-2 victory in their T20I series in Lauderhill, Florida, on Sunday. </p>AFP
3/10:Match-winning stand
<p>Set a target of 166, West Indies won with two overs to spare with Nicholas Pooran scoring 47 in a partnership of 107 with King. </p>AP
4/10:Brandon King
<p>Brandon King's highest T20I score came from 55 balls with 6 sixes and 5 fours and he kept his focus despite a delay to the game following a lightning warning. </p>AFP
5/10:Shai Hope
<p>Shai Hope, who steadied the ship after Pooran was removed by Tilak Varma, clinched the victory with a straight six off Yashasvi Jaiswal. </p>AP
6/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar Yadav struck 61 as India made 165/9 while Romario Shepherd took 4-31 in his four overs as West Indies' bowling attack delivered a fine performance. </p>AFP
7/10:Roston Chase
<p>West Indies made two changes with off-spinner Roston Chase and pacer Alzarri Joseph coming in for Odean Smith and Obed McCoy and there was a better balance and performance. </p>AP
8/10:Yashasvi Jaiswal
<p>Opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were both dismissed cheaply by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein. </p>AFP
9/10:Tilak Varma
<p>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. </p>AFP
10/10:Romario Shepherd
<p>Medium pacer Romario Shepherd took care of the lower middle order as West Indies were set a target of 166 to win the series. </p>AFPAfter India lost the series, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad slammed Pandya and called him 'clueless'.
"India needs to improve their skillset. Their is a hunger & intensity deficiency & often the captain looked clueless. Bowler’s can’t bat, batsmen can’t bowl. It’s important to not look for yes men and be blinded because someone is your favourite player but look at the larger good," Prasad wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"Not just 50 overs, West Indies had failed to qualify for the T20 World cup last Oct- Nov as well. It pains to see India perform poorly and brush it under the carpet, under the garb of process. That hunger, fire is missing and we live in an illusion," he further wrote.
"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," Prasad wrote.
India's next assignment will be the three-match T20I series against Ireland.
The three T20Is will start on August 18 at Malahide, Dublin, with the following matches on August 20 and 23 at the same ground.
