Indore, Oct 11: Opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a blistering 69 before left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh produced a decisive spell as India defeated West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20 International to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series here on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 224, West Indies finished at 209 for seven in their 20 overs, with Shimron Hetmyer scoring 43 and Kamil Pooran contributing 42. Arshdeep led the Indian bowling attack with figures of 3/44 to help the hosts defend their total after a late batting collapse had prevented them from posting an even bigger score.
Earlier, India were bowled out for 223 after being asked to bat, with Abhishek setting the tone through an explosive 30-ball knock featuring five fours and six sixes.
The left-hander reached his half-century off just 18 deliveries and combined with Ishan Kishan for a 108-run partnership for the second wicket from only 40 balls. Kishan provided excellent support, striking six fours and a six in his 18-ball 37.
India appeared poised for a total well beyond 250 before Roston Chase changed the momentum with a timely double strike. Chase finished with figures of 2/38, dismissing Kishan through a sharp stumping by Shai Hope before trapping Shreyas Iyer leg before wicket for one.
Abhishek’s entertaining innings ended when he miscued a short delivery from Shamar Springer, leaving India at risk of losing control of the innings. Naman Dhir followed for 10, caught at long-off as the visitors tightened their grip.
Vice-captain Tilak Varma added 28 off 16 balls but was run out in a costly mix-up. Axar Patel, who scored 20 off 14 deliveries, also fell victim to a run-out after a misunderstanding with Arshdeep. Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed a useful 21 off 14 balls, while Springer joined Chase in claiming two wickets, finishing with 2/50.
Despite the late setbacks, India managed to cross the 220-run mark and put the visitors under pressure.
West Indies began their chase with the required intent but struggled to maintain the scoring rate against India’s attack. Hetmyer and Pooran attempted to revive the innings with aggressive contributions, but Arshdeep’s strikes proved crucial in preventing the visitors from completing the chase.
The result gave India a crucial advantage in the series after the two teams had split the opening matches. India won the first T20I by eight wickets in Lucknow before West Indies levelled the contest with a six-wicket victory in Ranchi.
India will now look to build on their lead in the fourth match as they seek to clinch the series, while West Indies must win to keep their hopes of a series victory alive.
The victory will give India considerable confidence heading into the fourth T20I, although the batting collapse after Abhishek and Kishan’s explosive partnership remains a concern for the team management. Having threatened to post a total well in excess of 250, the hosts lost wickets in quick succession and allowed West Indies to claw their way back into the contest. The run-outs of Tilak and Axar further exposed a lack of composure during the closing stages, an area India will need to address against an opposition capable of turning matches around with their power-hitting. However, Arshdeep’s timely breakthroughs and the collective effort of the bowling attack ensured that the late setbacks with the bat did not prove costly. For West Indies, the defeat will be particularly frustrating after they had restricted India to 223 following a promising start by the hosts. (PTI)
SCOREBOARD
India: 223 all out in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 69; Roston Chase 2/38).
West Indies: 209 for 7 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 43, Kamil Pooran 42; Arshdeep Singh 3/44).