Player of the Match
Player of the Match

And that is all from the T20 match. West Indies are tied 1-1 in the five-match series, and we will see you in 17 hours for match #3. It was a chaotic evening, with most of us not knowing when the game would start after the logistical issues. But at the end of the day, we enjoyed a game of cricket that lasted almost all the way. What more can you want? Hope you enjoyed ESPNcricinfo's coverage and keep an eye out for all the analysis from this contest overnight. Thank you all!

Winning captain Nicholas Pooran. On the series tying victory: "I can finally breathe now. It has been a tough summer, we have lost a couple of close games. Happy to cross the line. Bowlers were fantastic. Obed, McCoy. They used the pitch, the conditions, the wind well. The batters got us off to a good start, and even though we stumbled, a win is a win in the end. I believe that in T20 cricket our better batters have to bat more. It didn't work out for myself and Hetmyer today, but we want to continue taking responsibility. King batted really well, thought he should win the game for us, but he will learn from this. Thomas returned from an injury and came trumps in his home ground. McCoy is a bit of a freak, and we need to deal with him, but today he was excellent. Was smart bowling to Dinesh Karthik, lovely to have him in the team. Good to have the left-arm option as well."

Losing captain Rohit Sharma is here. His assessment: "It was not enough runs on the board for us. We didn't bat well. Pitch was playing quite nicely but we didn't apply ourselves. But that can happen. I have said again and again that when you are trying something as a batting group, it won't work out always. We will try to see our mistakes and look to correct them. (20th over from Avesh) It's all about giving opportunity. We know Bhuvneshwar, what he brings to the table, but if you don't give opportunity to Avesh or Arshdeep you will never find out what it means to bowl at the death for India. They have done it in the IPL. Just one game, those guys don't need to panic. They need backing and opportunity. (Fighting effort) Proud of the team. When you are defending a target like that, it can end in 13-14 overs or you try to drag it to the last over. Guys kept fighting, it was important to take wickets. The planning we did, the guys came and executed. Happy with bowlers, but there are certain things in the batting we need to look at. I will again and again say that we will continue to bat in this fashion because we want to achieve something. One-off result, shouldn't panic. After one loss we won't change things around."

McCoy is the POTM and this is what he has to say. "I want to thank God," he says. "I'm doing this for my mom, she is home sick. This is motivating me to be a better player. Thankful for it. (Rohit wicket) It put a lot of pressure on their batters. I always look for wickets in the powerplay because that stops batsmen from scoring runs in the powerplay. (Reason for success) Went in with a clear mind. Was overthinking in the previous game. (His role - powerplay and back end) It gives me a lot of challenge and experience. Helps groom me as a player."

Frase: "India pay the price for playing to prepare rather than playing to win. Not being super critical, but if the game is in the balance why not throw the ball to Bhuvi? All this will do is hurt the confidence of Avesh."

Chris: "fed up of Ashwin getting away with bad balls he bowls so frequently in T20s. when will the xperts and commentators call those out? " -- You may have a point. We often put the magnifying glass too much on the powerplay and death overs.

4.56pm From being on 11 in 13 balls, Devon Thomas has broken the shackles and taken West Indies home from a potentially tricky position. Finishes on a 19-ball 31 and even hits the winning runs. But the key batter for West Indies in this chase was Brandon King. He scored more than double than any other batter across both sides, his 68 really ensuring West Indies went into the back end with wickets in hand. The series is now tied 1-1.

Some people will be confused why Rohit went with the inexperienced bowlers in the death overs, but if you look at the bigger picture, it may just make some sense. However, losing (and winning) are both habits so it is a Catch 22 situation. However, that India could last 19.2 overs while defending a score of 138 means that their bowlers did a solid job. Jadeja was tidy, Ashwin was wily (albeit a tad expensive), Hardik continues to impress with his control and Arshdeep grows in stature with every outing.

Despite King's half-century, though, we all know who the Player of the Match will be. Obed McCoy's six-wicket haul ensured that neither did India get off to a flyer, nor could they finish strong with the bat.

Zainulabeddin: "@Rohit Sharma: Why didn't you make your ace bowler bowl? A complete brain-fade."

19.2
4
Avesh Khan to Thomas, FOUR, good length, outside off. Cut smartly past point, and that races away for four! West Indies win by five wickets

The fans are dancing. For the first time in a long long time.

19.1
6
Avesh Khan to Thomas, SIX, short and wide. Thomas stands tall and slaps a six over deep extra cover! Powerfully put away, not easy to play a shot that would go in front of square.

Eight needed off six. And it is a free hit.

19.1
2nb
Avesh Khan to Smith, (no ball) 1 run, yorker attempted, ends up as a low full toss. Slapped to Hardik at long off for one. Oh dear, he has overstepped by an inch.

WI need 10 to win. Nine for a super over. This tour has really provided some classic white-ball games. Who will get the W tonight? Avesh has been given the responsibility.

Saksham Chauhan: "Why no Bhubhaneshwar Kumar?" -- Rohit showing confidence in his younger brigade.

END OF OVER:
19 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | WI: 129/5 (10 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.78, RRR: 10.00)

  • Devon Thomas21 (17b)
  • Odean Smith3 (3b)
  • Arshdeep Singh4-0-26-1
  • Hardik Pandya4-0-22-1

Prithvi : "Irrespective of the result, this is amazing captaincy from Rohit!! Made a match out of such low score. Totally worth my time ( Sacrificing sleep even after India's low score)"

18.6
2
Arshdeep Singh to Thomas, 2 runs, fullish outside off, and Thomas comes down the ground before clattering a square drive to the fielder in the deep. Comes back for two, and Odean will be on strike for the final over

Surely a free ball for Thomas. He can go for a six, and if he gets out, so be it, you'd have to think. Holder still in the hut.

18.5
1
Arshdeep Singh to Smith, 1 run, low full toss while searching for the yorker. Drilled to long off for one. Thomas wants two, but Smith says that is not possible
18.4
0
Arshdeep Singh to Smith, no run, full just outside off. Takes pace off slightly, and the ball holds its line instead of angling in with the arm. Smith tries to slog it leg side but misses. Through to Pant
18.3
2
Arshdeep Singh to Smith, 2 runs, low full toss on off, and pushed to cover for one. Fielder - Avesh - picks up and aims for a run-out at the bowler's end, but it is not a direct hit. What's worse is that there is an extra overthrow run for WI to collect.

15 needed off 10. One very fine short third man in position

Rahul Oak : "Really, really impressive here from Arshdeep. He seems to have overtaken Natarajan and Khaleel as a T20 left arm seam option."

18.2
W
Arshdeep Singh to Powell, OUT, cleans him up! Cranks the pace up by a few notches, goes full on off stump and Powell misses his attempted glory shot that he wanted to send straight down the ground. Ball crashes into middle and here's Odean Smith, Arshdeep's IPL teammate

R Powell b Arshdeep Singh 5 (17m 8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 62.50

18.1
1
Arshdeep Singh to Thomas, 1 run, yorker attempted, ends up as a very low full toss on off stump. Driven to long off for a single

16 off 12. Holder, Smith and Hosein to follow. They can all tonk it. WI are just three scoring shots away from tying the series. Here's Arshdeep.

END OF OVER:
18 | 11 Runs | WI: 123/4 (16 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.83, RRR: 8.00)

  • Devon Thomas18 (15b)
  • Rovman Powell5 (7b)
  • Hardik Pandya4-0-22-1
  • Arshdeep Singh3-0-20-0
17.6
1
Pandya to Thomas, 1 run, swings across the line again, but mistimes this length ball to deep square leg
17.5
6
Pandya to Thomas, SIX, just what WI needed Thomas breaks the shackles and in the process shows his strength too. Good length ball angling into him, and he swivels before clubbing a six over deep midwicket
17.4
1
Pandya to Powell, 1 run, back of a length, outside off. Drags a pulled shot to wide long on

Sinosh: "Tactical error from Rohit. Not giving Bhuvi his full overs" -- Rohit and management have maintained that they will try a few different things looking ahead to the T20 World Cup. They need to prepare for situations that may include not having the injury-prone Bhuvneshwar in their line up

17.3
1
Pandya to Thomas, 1 run, yorker on leg, and he digs it out to long on
17.2
1
Pandya to Powell, 1 run, takes pace off with this back of a length ball on middle. Powell backs away and tries to clatter it over the leg side but the ball goes to the off side instead. Towards cover

Asahel : "Watch the win predictor dance with every dot ball now"

17.1
1
Pandya to Thomas, 1 run, good length ball outside off. Thomas swings across the line, and gets a shot high up in the air to the leg side. Just short of Karthik running in from deep square leg

Pandya. His final over. 27 needed off 18. His economy has been 3.67 today in three overs.

END OF OVER:
17 | 4 Runs | WI: 112/4 (27 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.58, RRR: 9.00)

  • Devon Thomas9 (11b)
  • Rovman Powell3 (5b)
  • Arshdeep Singh3-0-20-0
  • Avesh Khan2-0-19-1
16.6
1
Arshdeep Singh to Thomas, 1 run, full on middle, and he drives it past the bowler's left to long off. He'll keep strike.

conceded just three so far. Can he finish off well?

16.5
1
Arshdeep Singh to Powell, 1 run, back of a length just outside off but angling into his helmet. Tries to pull, misses, and it hits the grille. Ball rolls away to the off side
16.4
1
Arshdeep Singh to Thomas, 1 run, full, on off stump. Driven with the bat's open face to DK at deep point

Kunal Sahu: "Why is Avesh wearing Arshdeep's jersey?" -- Probably the same reason why the game started three hours late! Luggage delivery issues.

16.3
0
Arshdeep Singh to Thomas, no run, good length ball just outside off. Thomas tries to flick across the line, but he's struggling with his connection. Goes past the bat to Pant

West Indies 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st46KR MayersBA King
2nd25N PooranBA King
3rd12SO HetmyerBA King
4th24DC ThomasBA King
5th17DC ThomasR Powell
6th17DC ThomasOF Smith