Yashasvi Jaiswal (84 not out) and Shubman Gill (77 runs) shared a game-breaking opening stand of 165, as India recorded a comfortable nine-wicket win in the fourth T20I, against the West Indies, in Florida. The visitors chased down the target of 179 in 17 overs to level the series 2-2.
When the opening pair walked out to the middle, it seemed as if they had a tricky task ahead of them, especially in the backdrop of only two successful chases being recorded at the ground in T20Is, prior to today’s match. India certainly needed to cash in on the Powerplay overs, and Jaiswal duly did that job by cracking seven boundaries in the first six overs. At the fag end of the Powerplay, Gill also joined the act by pulling, lofting and driving Odean Smith for sixes and fours.
The duo continued to play with positive intent, as the tourists reached the 100-run mark in the 10th over. When Smith was reintroduced into the attack, Gill and Jaiswal again took advantage of some poor bowling by depositing a couple of shots over the midwicket and fine leg regions. Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy weren’t spared either by Jaiswal and Gill. Eventually, with just 14 required for win, Gill flicked one into the hands of Shai Hope, stationed at deep midwicket. The match then ended in a bit of anti-climax. Tilak Varma sneaked in a bye, and with the umpire adjudging it as wide, India crossed the finish line.
Earlier, Arshdeep Singh had dented the West Indies top order by picking up the scalps of the openers, while Kuldeep Yadav ran through the middle order. Shimron Hetmyer provided the West Indies some impetus with a blazing hand of 61 in just 39 deliveries. On the other hand, Shai Hope cracked a 29-ball 45. Just that none of the other batters were able to cross the 20-run mark as the home side finished with a slightly below-par total.
For India, Arshdeep returned fine figures of 3 for 38 from four overs. Kuldeep, though, was the game-changer with the ball in hand, taking two for 26 from four overs. Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel also chipped in with a wicket each.
