Nicholas Pooran’s brilliant knock of 67 overshadowed Tilak Varma’s maiden international half-century as the West Indies secured a thrilling two-wicket victory against India in the second Twenty20 International in Guyana on Sunday.

India struggled to 152/7 after opting to bat first, and despite Pooran’s heroics, the West Indies found themselves in a precarious situation at 129/8 after losing four wickets for just three runs.

However, tailenders Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein kept their composure and guided the West Indies to a stunning win with seven balls to spare.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell highlighted the importance of their batting against spin, acknowledging the uncertainties of cricket.

With this victory, the West Indies take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after winning the first T20I in Tarouba by four runs.

Tilak Varma, who impressed in the Indian Premier League with 343 runs for Mumbai Indians, played a brilliant knock of 51 from 41 balls before being dismissed by Akeal Hosein. His effort, along with contributions from Ishan Kishan and skipper Hardik Pandya, helped India reach a modest total.

In their chase, the West Indies got off to a poor start, losing Brandon King and Johnson Charles to Pandya in the opening over. However, Nicholas Pooran took charge and played an incredible innings, smashing six fours and four sixes.

Although the West Indies looked in control, they stumbled from 126/4 to 129/8, thanks to Yuzvendra Chahal’s three wickets in the 16th over. With just two wickets in hand, they needed 24 runs from the last four overs.

Nevertheless, Joseph and Hosein held their nerves and guided the West Indies to a remarkable win.

Earlier, the tourists had won the preceding two-Test series 1-0 and the ODIs 2-1 against the West Indies.

2ND T20I:

India 152/7 (Tilak 51, Kishan 27) lost to the West Indies 155/8 (Pooran 67, Pandya 3/35) by two wickets.