If you thought the first match of the ODI series was exciting, there was something even better in store in the second as India defeated West Indies by two wickets with two balls to spare on Sunday (July 24) to take an unassailable lead of 2-0.
West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran won the toss and elected to bat first on a used surface as the hosts used the advantage to post 311/6 on the board with Shai Hope (115) scoring a century in his 100th ODI and Pooran (74) himself playing a superb knock to counter India's spin threat. Kyle Mayers (39) and Shamarh Brooks (35) also played handy knocks at the top of the order.
Shardul Thakur with 3/54 was the most successful Indian bowler on show, while debutant Avesh Khan conceded 54 runs in his six overs. Akshar Patel (1/40), Deepak Hooda (1/42) and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/69) were not that penetrative though the first two managed to control the run-rate.
India's chase needed a good start and Shubman Gill played fluently for 43 but captain Shikhar Dhawan struggled as he could score only 13 in 31 balls. With the required rate going past 7, the pressure caused wickets of the openers and Suryakumar Yadav (9) to leave India 79/3 in the 18th over.
Shreyas Iyer (63) and Sanju Samson (54) put on a century stand to resurrect the innings before both departed in a space of six overs as India were 205/5 in the 39th over. Deepak Hooda was joined by Akshar Patel in the middle with 100 runs needed in the final 10 overs.
The duo added a half-century partnership as Hooda fell for 33 in search of quick runs but Akshar kept going as he began to run out of partners with Shardul falling for 3. The all-rounder brought up his maiden ODI fifty in 27 balls and added 24 vital runs in a 7th wicket partnership with Avesh Khan who was dismissed on the final ball of 49th over for 10.
With 8 needed off the last over bowled by Kyle Mayers who was having a great day with bat, ball and in the field, Akshar and Siraj took two runs in the first three balls, before the left-hander finished the game with a six on the fourth ball of the over to help India seal the series with a 2-wicket win.
Akshar was expectedly named the Player-of-the-Match for his exceptional all-round performance.
Watch the final moment of the game and highlights of Akshar's innings here:
