West Indies won the first game of the tournament by one run.
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“In the last ball, thinking was right but execution was wrong and in a sport like cricket execution really matters”, Dhoni said after India ended at 244 for 4 while chasing 246 for a win at a belter of a pitch on a small ground here”.
After a thriller in the first T20, which entertained fans to the hilt, one can expect another high-voltage drama in the second match. Leg spinner Amit Mishra (3/24) provided the opening breakthrough by dismissing Johnson Charles (43) and R Ashwin then combined with paceman Jasprit Bumrah to tighten the noose around the West Indies with regular strikes.
The Indian bowlers too bowled good lines, as the pacers banged in the ball short at times to surprise the batsmen.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Dhoni said he had played in “worst” conditions, in England in 2011, and it was umpires’ decision to call off the match.
Rahul was the most notable contributor for India as he notched up a 46-ball unbeaten knock of 110, including 12 fours and 5 sixes to take his side agonizingly close to a win.
West Indies players celebrate winning the match off the last ball at Central Broward Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on August 27, 2016.
India were favourites heading into the final over, when they needed eight, and had Rahul and Dhoni’s famed finishing skills at the crease.
Rohit Sharma (10 not out) started the Indian chase with a six in the third delivery but after reaching 15 for naught in two overs, rain played spoilsport with no further play possible.
The second T20 of the two-match series might have ended up being a damp squib, as rain ruined India’s chances of levelling the series on Sunday, but MS Dhoni was still upbeat about playing in the USA, after a sizeable crowd came down to watch two of the biggest teams in Twenty20 cricket in action over the weekend.
Rookie opener Evin Lewis, playing in his only second T20 worldwide, hit 100 (49 balls; 5×4, 9×6) and shared 126 runs for the first wicket from a mere 9.3 overs with Johnson Charles (79 of 33 balls; 6×4, 7×6) led the mauling of Indian bowlers.
An unfazed Charles though flicked Shami for another six with the strength of his wrist and followed it up with consecutive boundaries.
West Indies’ Evin Lewis’ 49-ball 100 in the first T20 has helped him move up 288 slots to reach 51st position.
The match in question also began 40 minutes late because of a technical delay at the broadcaster’s end. And it was an ideal start to for new captain Carlos Brathwaite, whose charges backed up their standing as World T20 champion.
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Mishra put the brakes on the scoring rate, giving away only four runs in that over.
