12 August,2023 11:37 PM IST | Lauderhill | mid-day online correspondent
Arshdeep Singh (Pic: @BCCI/Twitter)
India might have stayed afloat with a win in the third T20I but Windies still lead the series 2-1, a quick reminder of the fact that the visitors still have concerns surrounding the batting unit. The Men in Blue will hope that batsmen will helm their march towards a series-leveling victory over the West Indies with another impact effort in the fourth T20I on Saturday.
It was a comforting sight indeed to see Suryakumar Yadav flicking on his beast mode and Tilak Varma chipping in with crucial runs. But India's opening combination continued to falter. India had handed T20I debut to Yashasvi Jaiswal, resting Ishan Kishan. But for the third successive match, the pair at the totem pole position failed to impress, making just six runs. Jaiswal got out to pacer Obed McCoy in the first over itself.
In the previous two matches, Kishan and Shubman Gill had managed to score just five and 16 for the first wicket to place some amount of pressure on the middle-order. Whether India will bring back Kishan for this match remains to be seen, but the management will hope for a more potent outing from the openers in a must-win match.
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India: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
West Indies: Rovman Powell (Captain), Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Odean Smith
Also Read: Team India's 'Big Three' and the inevitability of succession
Wicketkeepers: Nicholas Pooran
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Rovman Powell, Tilak Varma, Brandon King
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Kyle Mayers
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar/Avesh Khan.
West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy
West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.
West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran(w), Rovman Powell(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Sanju Samson(w), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mukesh Kumar
11:20 PM: India win by 9 wickets
Gill's impressive innings concludes at 77 off 47 balls. A full delivery at 135kph on the leg side is wristily flicked by Gill, but he doesn't keep it low. Shai Hope takes a sharp catch, moving to his right from deep mid-wicket, to end Gill's superb knock. He did the job well for India as the Men in Blue levelled the series with three overs to spare.
10:55 PM: 151/0 (14 overs)
Several powerful shots on display in the 13th over. A huge straight six and a fine-edged four contribute to a booming partnership of 150. Gill maintains his aggressive play with well-placed shots, including a crucial review to overturn an LBW decision.
10:50 PM: 131/0 (12.3 overs)
Both Jaiswal and Gill shine with impressive fifties. Jaiswal's audacious reverse sweep for six showcases his flair. Gill's reverse heave adds to his aggressive play. Powell's over gifts 13 runs, aiding their milestone moments. Jaiswal's maiden T20I fifty and Gill's recovery to fifty lift India to 113-0 after 11 overs.
10:40 PM: 100/0 (10 overs)
Jaiswal's quick singles take India to 100, Gill's fine sweep gets 3, nudges for no run, Jaiswal comes down for a single, Gill punches for one, and Jaiswal pulls for another single.
10:30 PM: 93/0 (9 overs)
Jaiswal singles to long-on. Gill takes a single off another slower ball. Jaiswal drives for a single then slices for a four. Gill singles and Jaiswal gets a single with an overthrow. Gill hits a four with a jab, Jaiswal mistimes for a single, Gill drives for one, Jaiswal takes a leg-bye, and a single each. Gill takes 2, Jaiswal singles to long-on, Gill tucks for 1, fumble for 2, Gill flicks a four, and Jaiswal takes a leg-bye.
10:20 PM: 66/0 (6 overs)
A mix of shots of Shubman Gill by Odean Smith there. Gill doesn't lose control and smacks them all. At the same time, Suryakumar Yadav's control over bowlers is praised.
10:10 PM: 37/0 (4 overs)
Obed McCoy bowls a mix of deliveries to Shubman Gill, who scores runs through a quick single, a six over mid-wicket, and some dot balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal also hits boundaries against Jason Holder's bowling.
9:59 PM: 20/0 (2.2 overs)
In the first over, Akeal Hosein concedes singles to Jaiswal and Gill. Jaiswal attempts a reverse sweep but is stopped by Smith's dive. McCoy's over includes a wide half-volley dispatched by Jaiswal, a couple of singles, and a top-edged boundary.
9:41 PM: 178/8 (20 overs)
West Indies managed to score 178 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Notable contributions came from Shimron Hetmyer with a powerful 61 off 39 balls, while Shai Hope added 45 off 29 balls.
9:36 PM: 155/7 (18.1 overs)
Hetmyer swiftly capitalizes on the moment, accelerating to secure a second run. He not only adds runs to his team's total but also attains a remarkable personal achievement - his half-century. This impressive milestone signifies Hetmyer's prowess in the T20 International arena, highlighting his ability to consistently excel in this dynamic format.
9:23 PM: 123/7 (15.3 overs)
Mukesh Kumar adds to India's wickets column. Holder's dismissal appears unfortunate as the full delivery tails in, Holder adjusts off-side, attempts a drive, but an inside edge nicks the pad and disturbs the stumps. West Indies' batting lineup is under pressure. Holder departs for 3(4).
9:17 PM: 118/6 (14.2 overs)
Shepherd falls to his own aggression. Attempting a slog-sweep to Axar's slightly shortened delivery, he top-edges it high. Samson claims the catch comfortably behind the stumps. Shepherd departs for 9(6), including a six.
9:10 PM: 118/5 (14.1 overs)
Mukesh Kumar bowled consistently, with Hetmyer managing singles through well-placed shots despite his tight bowling. Shepherd also contributed, finding gaps for singles. Notable was Mukesh's effective use of variations.
9:05 PM: 106/5 (13 overs)
Chahal dismisses Shai Hope with a well-tossed delivery outside off. Hope attempts a powerful shot over mid-wicket but the bat turns on impact, resulting in a catch taken comfortably by Axar at long-on. Hope departs for 45 (29 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes).
8:58 PM: 102/4 (12 overs)
Hardik Pandya conceded 9 runs. Shai Hope managed singles and twos with well-placed shots. Hetmyer hit consecutive boundaries - a cut behind point for four and a front-footed pull for a six over mid-wicket. Hope scored 40 off 23, Hetmyer 11 off 14. In the 10th over by Kuldeep Yadav, Hope survived a close call for a second run. Hetmyer got 3 singles and a four with well-timed shots.
8:49 PM: 79/4 (10 overs)
Chahal restricted West Indies to 3 singles, Hope hit a six and a four. Hetmyer managed 2 runs, Hope added 1. West Indies scored a total of 6 runs in these two overs
8:45 PM: 58/3 (6.3 overs)
Kuldeep Yadav's enchanting spell persists as he deceives Powell with a back-of-length wrong 'un aimed at leg-stump. Powell's mistimed tuck results in an edge towards slip, where Shubman Gill reacts swiftly to grasp a clever catch. Powell departs for 1(3) off Kuldeep's delivery.
8:34 PM: 55/3 (6.1 overs)
Kuldeep Yadav takes immediate action, inducing a catch for Suryakumar Yadav at long-on. Pooran departs for just 1 run off 3 balls, falling victim to Kuldeep's delivery.
8:25 PM: 54/2 (5.4 overs)
Arshdeep Singh claims another wicket as Brandon King attempts a wild shot off a wide delivery. The ball ends up in the hands of Kuldeep Yadav, dismissing Brandon King for 18 runs, including 2 sixes.
8:19 PM: 36/1 (4 overs)
Chahal bowls with a variation. Shai Hope hits a boundary with a beautiful drive, and Brandon King strikes a six. Chahal appeals for an lbw, denied. Axar concedes runs in the 2nd over, Hope retains strike. Defensive move using Axar for India's opening bowling.
8:10 PM: 19/1 (1.5 overs)
Arshdeep Singh dismisses Mayers, caught by Samson. A well-directed short ball at 135kph bounces extra, surprising Mayers. His attempted ramp over the keeper results in an edge behind. Samson grabs a sharp catch, fingers pointing up. Mayers departs for 17 (7), including 2 fours and 1 six.
8:00 PM: Match begins!
West Indies' Mayers makes an impressive start, hitting a boundary with a sweep shot off Axar. India's spin strategy struggles as Mayers scores runs through controlled shots and powerful hits, including a six. Mayers faces challenges but remains determined.
