The Indian team continued their home dominance and registered yet another series win when they downed West Indies in a close encounter by 8 runs in the second T20I in Kolkata, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-T20I series.
This was after India had won 3-0 in the ODI series. Rohit Sharma as a full-time India skipper is yet to concede a loss.
With the win in the second T20I, the Men In Blue also recorded a historic achievement. On Friday night, India recorded their 100th victory in T20 internationals – behind only Pakistan who have 118 wins.
Playing their first T20I in 2006, India have played 155 games so far, winning 100 of those; 3 of those 100 wins have come after the game was tied: a bowl-out win over Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup, and 2 back-to-back super overs triumphs against New Zealand in 2020. India are the inaugural T20 champion, winning the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Pakistan have claimed 118 wins so far in 189 matches; they have won one of their three tied matches.
Only Afghanistan, who have won 60 out of 89 T20Is, have a better win-loss ratio of 2.06 than India’s 1.96 and Pakistan’s 1.78. Next on the list of most T20I wins are South Africa (85), Australia (82).
Meanwhile, talking about India, it was a team effort from the hosts that defeated West Indies, who came close to chasing down 187 with Nicholas Pooran’s 62 off 41 and Rovman Powell’s 68 off 36, but fell short by 8 runs.
Batting first, it was Virat Kohli‘s fifty that held the first half of India’s innings, followed by a stunning assault from Rishabh Pant (52 off 28) and Venkatesh Iyer (33 off 18) that helped India post 186.
Skipper Rohit Sharma was effusive in praise for Kohli, Pant, and Venkatesh.
“It was very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn’t start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye. Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well. Very happy to see how he (Venkatesh Iyer) has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants,” Sharma said.
Kohli and Pant, however, won’t be seen in the third T20I as they have been released by the management to take rest from Sunday’s game.
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