(Cricket news) India defeated West Indies by 8 runs to win the 2nd T20I and the series with 1 game left to play. India entered an unchanged 11 while West Indies brought back Jason Holder in place of Fabian Allen. Kieron Pollard won the toss and put India into bat.

India got off to a tricky start as both Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma were finding it very difficult to get their timing right and middle the ball. Ishan Kishan could only manage 2 runs off his 9 balls before he was dismissed by Sheldon Cottrell. The dynamic changed when Virat Kohli walked in with his positive intent as he freely played his shots, took on the bowling and scored 52 off 41 balls to get his side out of a precarious position. Roston Chase once again bowled an incredible spell to pick up the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer stiched a very good and aggressive partnership of 76 runs in the last 6 overs. Iyer scored 33 off 18 balls hitting 4 boundaries and a six while Pant scored 52 off 28 balls which includes 7 fours and one unbelievable one flick which went for six. India set a target of 187 for the Windies to chase.

The visitors got off to a decent start as Brandon King and 34 runs in the first 5 overs. Rohit Sharma reacted by introducing Yuzvendra Chahal in the power play and leggie repaid the faith as he got the wicket of Mayers. King was dismissed shortly after by Ravi Bishnoi. Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran occupied the crease for the next 10 overs and displayed some outstanding batting. Powell hit 4 fours and 5 sixes for his unbeaten 68 off 36 balls while Nicholas Pooran scored 62 off 48 hitting 5 boundaries and 3 maximums. The West Indies in the end fell 8 runs short thanks to a fantastic 2nd last over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar where he gave away only 4 runs and also dismissed Pooran.

India will now be looking to rest a few players in the next match and maybe give others a chance. Ruturaj Gaikwad is definitely one of the players who is long overdue to get his international debut. West Indies have one match left to open their account on the tour and will be keen on doing so in the 3rd and final T20I.

Also read: Here's why Deepti Sharma will be India's most important player in the World Cup