A typical torrential Florida downpour just two overs into India’s chase put paid to any hopes of them squaring the Twenty20 Internationals series against West Indies on Sunday (August 28) as some of the areas in the outfield were too soggy for play to resume.
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LOKESH Rahul’s (110*) scintillating innings was not enough as West Indies defeated India by one run in a cliff-hanging run-feast at Lauderhill ground in the United States on Saturday.The over three-hour humdinger was given a flawless climax as it was down to the two best finishers of the game-Dwayne Bravo and Mahendra Singh Dhoni battling it out in the last over with India needing eight runs off the last over.
India skipper MS Dhoni was caught from the final delivery of the game, with two needed, as he was outfoxed by a Dwayne Bravo slower ball to hand the world champions a memorable success.
Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja complete the batting lineup.
Stuart Binny was taken for the cleaners in his first over for 32 runs which included 5 consecutive sixes by Lewis. Evin Lewis scored a magnificent ton, and KL Rahul replied back with an even incredible ton, which almost helped India win a last ball thriller.
INDIA (Target: 144): R Sharma not out 10, A Rahane not out 4. Rahul injured his foot in the 1st T20I where he scored an unbeaten 110. Lewis who scored his 100 off just 48 balls, the fifth fastest in T20 history, hit the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground, with his knock consisting of five fours and nine huge sixes.
India made their U.S. debut with this match.
MS Dhoni feels that the Indian Cricket Team is becoming a solid unit in the five-day format.
Shami, who was recalled for his second spell, finally managed to bring the onslaught to a halt by removing Charles with a full length delivery that rocked his off-stump.
Mohammed Shami provided the first breakthrough when he had Evin Lewis, the centurion from the previous game, caught at short fine-leg by Mishra.
Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher and Carlos Brathwaite can strike the ball cleanly without breaking a sweat.
Playing his second ever T20I, Lewis, who till now was playing second fiddle, began his attack, getting to his 50 off 25 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. We could have got to 250-60 Thanks to the U.S. for support.
Their highest partnership was of 26 runs, for the second and third wickets.
The West Indies were still placed at a commanding position at 132 for one at the halfway mark.
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Put in to bat, West Indies raced to 199/1 after 15 overs but India recovered well in the final five overs by conceding just 46 runs and scalping five wickets in the process.
