India registered an emphatic victory against the West Indies by 67 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday and sealed the three-match T20I series 2-1. Questions were raised on the Indian batsmen after the loss in the second T20I at Thiruvananthapuram.
Top-order clicks
The top order of the men in blue at Wankhede displayed a fantastic exhibition of power-hitting and posed a mammoth total of 240/3 in the allotted 20 overs and shut the mouth of their critics.
Mammoth total to chase
Chasing such a massive total for any team was not a pinch of salt matter, the Carribean needed to punch above their weight to surpass 240 runs in 20 overs. The visitors were nowhere in the match and could only muster 173/8, losing the game by a considerable margin of 67 runs.
Rahul, Rohit and Kohli shine
Earlier, the West Indies team had won the toss and asked India to bat first without any hesitation. Both the openers were ready to erase their previous match below-par show, and they pounced on the Carribean attack like a hungry tiger from the beginning.
KL Rahul top-scored with a 56-ball 91 runs and Rohit Sharma blasted for 34-ball 71 runs. Later, captain Virat Kohli joined the party and carried the bat till the end and scored a scintillating 70 in just 29 balls. The trio of Rohit-Rahul-Kohli combined smashed 16 sixes, which helped India to reach 240 for three.
Pant’s failure a concern
Rishabh Pant’s inability to score well with his bat once again was the only disappointment for team India in this match. Otherwise, the plan was well executed throughout the game. Pant’s performance is a concern for the team management despite getting ample chance. The suggestion for a replacement for Pant can’t be denied now seeing his prolonged failure.
Bowlers bowled on target
Indian bowlers didn’t disappoint the team and led the onslaught when the Islanders stepped out to chase. The visitors suffered a huge setback before their chase as hitman Evin Lewis failed to bat due to knee injury suffered during fielding in the match. Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Chahar bowled on perfect line and length, tightened the screw and were rewarded with wickets. Skipper Kieron Pollard, the lone fighter failed to take his team closer to India’s total.
Positive approach
After losing the 2nd T20I in Thiruvananthapuram, India went on an onslaught since the beginning of the innings and never allowed the Carribean to settle down. The men in blue stepped up intending to win the match and series. This positive approach is the sign of a team’s consistency and hunger for victory. The triumph in this match must enhance the morale of the entire team.
Focus shifts on ODI
The focus now will be shifted to the upcoming three-match One Day Series starting from 15th December in Chennai. Test match specialist Mayank Agarwal has been included in the ODI team as a replacement for the injured Shikhar Dhawan. India is favourite to win the ODI series.
Bench strength an asset
The present Indian team is in superb form. The bench strength of team India is strong, which always keeps the on-field players on their toes to perform or otherwise, doors will be shown. Stiff competition in the team will lift the performance of players and team as well.
Under the captaincy of Kohli, the entire team is playing as a unit intending to win more and more matches. As a captain, he has been leading the team from the front. In the deciding match in Mumbai against the Carribean, Kohli walked at No.4 and overshadowed Rohit and Rahul with his vehement hitting. Whenever India needs Kohli’s bat, he creates a blaze most of the time.
