India’s stand-in captain, Shikhar Dhawan, heaped praise on his team for their never-to-lose approach after the touring side registered a close two-wicket win in another thrilling ODI against the West Indies on Sunday (July 24) at Queens Park Oval stadium in Port of Spain.
Riding on half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer (63), Sanju Samson (54), and Akshar Patel (64*), the Indian team chased down the target of 312 runs in the second ODI against West Indies. Shardul Thakur (3/53) was the standout performer for India with the ball on Sunday.
With a 2-wicket win in the second ODI, Team India clinched the ongoing three-match ODI series 2-0 against the West Indies, with the third and final ODI set to be played on Wednesday (July 27) at the same venue at Queens Park Oval stadium in Port of Spain.
Shikhar Dhawan said at a post-match presentation: “It was a great team performance. Boys didn't lose their self-belief, that is amazing. Iyer, Sanju, Axar everyone was amazing, Even Avesh came out in his debut game and scored those 11 important runs. Thanks to IPL, they perform on a huge stage. I felt that we bowled nicely.”
He added, “They got off to a good start. Hope and Pooran batted well. We thought if they could do it, we knew that we could do it. We started a little slow. Shubman batted well. The Iyer-Samson partnership made a huge difference. There was a run-out. But these things happen. Boys are learning.”
The Indian skipper also congratulated West Indies opener Shai Hope for scoring a century, as he became the 10th batter in the world and the 4th West Indian to score a century in the 100th ODI match.
Hope has joined the elite list of players like Gordon Greenidge, Chris Cairns, Mohammad Yousuf, Kumar Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, Marcus Trescothick, Ramnaresh Sarwan, David Warner, and Shikhar Dhawan, who have scored centuries in their 100th ODI.
Dhawan signed off by saying, “It was a great feeling when I scored a 100 in my 100th ODI game. I would want to congratulate Hope for doing the same.”
(With PTI Inputs)
