India won by 8 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma had a difficult time controlling his emotions on the field during the second T20I against West Indies on Friday (February 18). India despite dropping couple of easy catches, ended up winning a thrilling match by 8 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with one match to play.
India posted a total of 186/5 with former captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rishabh Pant scoring 52 each, and Venkatesh Iyer contributing 33. Roston Chase provided control to his captain Kieron Pollard while picking up 3/25 in his 4 overs.
With West Indies chasing 187 to stay alive in the series, vice-captain Nicholas Pooran (62) and Rovman Powell (68*) almost got the visitors home but Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel held their nerve to seal the deal for the home side.
READ ALSO: Cricket fraternity reacts as Indian bowlers overcome Pooran, Powell’s heroics to seal T20I series
On the penultimate ball of the 16th over, bowled by Bhuvneshwar, Powell skied a delivery as the pace bowler came underneath to take what was a relatively simple return catch, however, he messed it up and dropped the catch to give the hard-hitting West Indies all-rounder a life.
Captain Rohit, who was already quite agitated with the game getting close, couldn't believe his eyes as the catch was grassed. The Mumbaikar kicked the ball in frustration and ended up conceding an extra run as the West Indies batters ran for the overthrow.
WATCH HERE:
The experienced bowler did not let the missed opportunity affect him as he bowled a terrific 19th over to shift the momentum towards India and leave Harshal with 25 runs to defend in the last over, which he did despite being hit for two sixes.
India and West Indies will now play the dead rubber on Sunday at the same venue, Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A larger crowd is expected for the game with the COVID-19 restrictions being eased.