India restrict West Indies to 209 in Indore T20 to lead five-match series 2-1

India made up for their earlier defeat in the third T20 at Holkar Stadium in Indore. Indian bowlers held the West Indies batters to 209 runs, and with the win India lead the five-match T20 series 2-1.

Batting first, India were bowled out for 224, which became the West Indies' target. In the second match of the series the West Indies had gone past 250 with aggressive batting, so this match was widely expected to be the real test of the Indian bowlers.

At the start it seemed that the highlights of the previous match were being replayed. But the Indian bowlers soon got a grip and made a comeback. The West Indies again put up a good fight and reached 209 for seven.

In India's innings, opener Abhishek Sharma did not let the pressure get to his game even after Sanju Samson (3) fell early. He put on a 108-run partnership for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan. Abhishek scored 69 off 30 balls, with six fours and five sixes. Just when it looked as though he would complete a century, Shemar Springer caught him off his own bowling.

During this innings Abhishek made history in T20 international cricket. He became the fastest batter to score 2,000 runs in T20 internationals, a world record.

In India's middle order, apart from Ishan Kishan (37), no batter lasted. Tilak Varma made 28 but was run out in an unusual manner. Captain Shreyas Iyer (1), Naman Dhir (10) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) were dismissed cheaply.

The West Indies bowlers kept the Indian batters under pressure from the start. Roston Chase took the wickets of Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who looked in good touch. Roston, Shamar Joseph and Shemar Springer took two wickets each, while Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie got one each.

In the West Indies innings, captain Shai Hope (5) was sent back to the pavilion by Arshdeep Singh in the second over. Shimron Hetmyer (43), who had been out for a duck in the previous match, began to show his form this time, but Naman Dhir clean bowled him. The same happened with Camel Pooran (42). After he hit three towering sixes in one over from Naman, Naman had him caught by Ishan near the boundary in the same over.

The other bowlers may have lagged behind in taking wickets, but they kept the run rate in check. The West Indies could not recover from the setback, and the Indian bowlers did not give them a chance to settle. For India, Arshdeep took three wickets and Naman two.