DHAKA: Defending T20 champion West Indies managed to clinch a 1 run victory over India in a power-hitting match to claim their lead in the two match series.
Records seemed cheap on American soil in the first T20, 489 runs were scored making it the highest scoring T20 ever, two-times world champion Caribbean cricketers smashed the highest number of sixes in an innings as well.
Two replacement youngsters from each team smashed centuries in this high voltage game but experienced all-rounder Bravo outshined them with his fantastic last over defending 7 runs.
West Indies stormed their way to 245 in 20 overs, third highest team total in shortest form of cricket. Charles and Lewis conducted storm over Indian bowlers, their opening partnership produced 126 runs in only 9.3 overs. Charles’ 79 came in only 33 balls with 6 fours and 7 sixes.
His partner Lewis, on second match, tore apart Indian bowling line up. He created a chance to South African Levi’s fastest T20 century record but failed. His 100 came in 49 balls, with 5 fours and 9 massive sixes. Russel and Pollard scored 22 each with two sixes each.
Lewis threatened to put up other 6-sixes in an over by hitting Binny over the boundary in first five deliveries but he misjudged the last ball, a full-toss and had to be contented with 2 runs.
Bumrah and Jadeja claimed two wickets each from India.
In reply, India lost Rahane and Kohli quickly within five overs and before 50 runs. Rahul and Rohit took responsibility from there to stage a fascinating stroke play, that too without any outrageous risks, they added 89 runs in only 7.3 overs putting India on the race.
Rohit went to the pavilion after stroke filled 62 from 28 deliveries, his innings was designed by four boundaries along 4 over-boundaries. With his departure came Dhoni, the skipper and arguably the best finisher in cricket.
The next partnership took only 48 deliveries from India to pile up 107. Rahul picked his first T20 century in 46 balls, only a ball more than Levi’s world record. He remained unbeaten on 110 from 51 deliveries with 12 fours and 5 sixes.
Bravo came to ball the last over, he had only eight runs to defend with two batsman on fire. On the last ball, India needed one to tie the match but Dhoni misjudged a slower delivery and got caught by Samuels. His 43 came from 25, with two sixes and fours.
Bravo took two wickets from West Indies while his team mate Lewis was Man of the Match.
BDST: 1045 HRS, AUG 28, 2016
NR/BD
