India tour of West Indies, 2023 – A T20 Battle to Remember

West Indies chased down the target comfortably in 18 overs, thanks to Brandon King's incredible unbeaten knock of 85 and Nicholas Pooran's contribution of 44 runs.

BUDDY

August 14, 2023

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BUDDY

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August 14, 2023

93

India tour of West Indies, 2023 – A T20 Battle to Remember

West Indies chased down the target comfortably in 18 overs, thanks to Brandon King's incredible unbeaten knock of 85 and Nicholas Pooran's contribution of 44 runs.

Cricket News

WI VS IND 5TH T20

West Indies chased down the target comfortably in 18 overs, ( Image Credit Twitter @windiescricket )

India’s cricketing prowess in bilateral series has been commendable, yet the Windies have given them a run for their money. A recent series loss has ignited a debate on India’s strategy, experimentation, and execution, but the emergence of young talents like Jaiswal and Tilak and the consistent performance of Kuldeep Yadav cannot be overlooked.

However, the spotlight is now on the West Indies. Despite the recent challenges, including their exclusion from the 2023 50 overs World Cup, the team has shown a resurgence in the T20 format. With the next T20I World Cup hosted in their backyard, the Caribbean side has sent strong signals of their intent to entertain and succeed.

Under the guidance of Sammy, there are positive signs emerging for the Windies. Key players like Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, and Joseph have been instrumental in the team’s successes. Rovman Powell’s leadership and the tactical acumen of the coaching staff have also been a highlight.

Key Statistics:

  • Highest Scores against India in Successful T20I Chase: Brandon King scored 85* in Lauderhill, 2023.
  • Most Runs in the Series against India: Nicholas Pooran was prominent with 184 runs during the WI tour of India in 2022 and 176 runs in IND tour of WI & USA, 2023.
  • India’s Recent T20I Bilateral Series Results:
    • Won 5-0 vs NZ, 2020 (away)
    • Won 3-2 vs ENG, 2021 (home)
    • Drew 2-2 vs SA, 2022 (home)
    • Won 4-1 vs WI, 2022 (away)
    • Lost 2-3 vs WI, 2023 (away)

Match Summaries:

  1. Match 1: West Indies won, taking a lead in the series. Key performances included Joseph’s bowling and Pooran’s batting.
  2. Match 2: West Indies continued their success, with Shepherd picking up crucial wickets.
  3. Match 3: India fought back, with contributions from the young talents and Kuldeep’s spinning magic.
  4. Match 4: India leveled the series, displaying an all-around performance.
  5. Match 5: West Indies clinched the series, with notable contributions from King and Powell.

Key Takeaways:

  • West Indies’ Resurgence: This series marked a revival for West Indies cricket, especially in the T20 format. Their teamwork, individual brilliance, and effective leadership paid off.
  • India’s Reflection: Despite showcasing talent and character, India lost the series. Mistakes in tactics and some missed opportunities were key factors.
  • Emerging Stars: Players like Jaiswal and Tilak from India, along with Shepherd from West Indies, emerged as promising talents.
  • Coaching Impact: Sammy’s influence as coach was apparent in West Indies’ strategic play.

Captains' Comments After the Series:

Rovman Powell (West Indies):

Emphasized the team’s hard work and dedication and thanked fans for their support. Powell praised individual performances and credited the coaching staff for excellent planning.

Hardik Pandya (India):

Expressed disappointment but acknowledged the lessons learned. Pandya highlighted the character shown by youngsters and focused on future growth, mentioning the importance of sometimes losing to learn and improve.

Match Summary: Fifth T20I

Venue: Played in the West Indies.

Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first.

India’s Innings:

  • Suryakumar Yadav: Scored a crucial 61 runs off 45 balls, becoming the backbone of India’s innings.
  • Other Batters: Failed to convert their starts into significant scores.
  • Total: India finished at 165/9 after 20 overs.
  • West Indies Bowling: Consistent performance by the bowlers, who capitalized on India’s lack of big partnerships.

West Indies’ Innings:

  • Brandon King: Played an incredible unbeaten knock of 85, guiding the West Indies to victory.
  • Nicholas Pooran: Chipped in with a vital 44-run contribution.
  • Total: West Indies chased down the target comfortably in 18 overs.
  • Indian Bowling: Struggled to contain the West Indies batsmen and failed to take key wickets at crucial moments.

What Went Wrong for India:

  • Lack of Support for Yadav: Suryakumar’s brilliant half-century lacked substantial support from the other batsmen.
  • Ineffective Bowling: Indian bowlers struggled to make breakthroughs, allowing West Indies to chase the target easily.

What Went Right for West Indies:

  • Dominant Batting: Brilliant knocks by King and Pooran sealed the victory.
  • Effective Bowling: Tight bowling and key wickets kept India to a manageable total

The fifth T20I was a showcase of West Indies’ potential in the shortest format, with standout performances from King and Pooran. India, despite a fighting half-century from Suryakumar Yadav, fell short in both batting and bowling. The match, symbolizing the series as a whole, offered thrilling moments and left both teams with significant insights into their strengths and weaknesses. The series win is a vital boost for West Indies cricket, while India will look to rectify their mistakes as they move forward.

In summary, the West Indies vs India T20 series was a closely fought contest, filled with exciting cricket, individual brilliance, and tactical mastery, leaving fans and analysts with much to ponder and look forward to in future encounters between these two sides.

Last Updated: Aug 14, 2023
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