Team India registered a thrilling two-wicket victory over West Indies in the second ODI in Trinidad on Sunday (July 24).
Opting to bat first, the hosts piled up 311/6 in their 50 overs on the back of opener Shai Hope’s century (115 off 135 balls) and skipper Nicholas Pooran’s 77-ball 74.
Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowler for India, claiming three wickets by conceding 54 runs in his seven overs.
In reply, the Men in Blue lost stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan (13) cheaply but vital contributions from Shubman Gill (43), Shreyas Iyer (63), and Sanju Samson (54) kept them in the chase.
In the end, it was Akshar Patel’s maiden ODI fifty that hogged the headlines as he finished the chase for India in style.
WATCH - Akshar Patel finishes it off with a six; Team India reacts in jubilation after series win
With 6 needed off the last three balls, Akshar smashed a six off Kyle Mayer’s full toss delivery over long-off to seal the deal. The left-hander notched up his half-century in just 27 deliveries and eventually returned with 64 not out off 35 balls, which included 3 fours and 5 sixes.
With this victory, the visitors took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
For holding his nerves in the pressure situation, Akshar Patel received rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
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