IND vs WI: India bounced back from their two defeats in the first two T20Is to beat West Indies by 9 wickets in the fourth match of the series in Florida on Saturday.
Opting to bat, West Indies posted a challenging 178 for 8, riding on a half-century by Shimron Hetmyer (61) and Shai Hope’s 29-ball 45. In reply, India overhauled the target in just 17 overs with Yashasvi Jaiswal (84 not out) and Shubman Gill (77) sharing a 165-run opening partnership.
Jaiswal was the star of the show for India, hitting 8 fours and 5 sixes in his 51-ball knock. Gill was also in good touch, scoring 77 off 47 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Arshdeep Singh (3/38) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/26) were the pick of the bowlers for India. The win levelled the series 2-2 with one match to go. The fifth and final T20I will be played in Florida on Sunday.
Jaiswal, Gill Put India in Command
Jaiswal and Gill gave India a flying start, putting on 165 runs for the first wicket in just 15 overs. Jaiswal was the aggressor in the partnership, hitting the ball cleanly and finding the boundaries with ease. Gill was more sedate, but he still managed to score at a brisk pace.
The two batsmen took apart the West Indies bowling attack, hitting boundaries at will. Jaiswal brought up his half-century off just 32 balls, while Gill reached his fifty off 39 balls. The partnership was finally broken when Gill was caught at long-off off the bowling of Romario Shepherd. However, Jaiswal continued to bat in aggressive fashion and brought up his maiden T20I century off just 51 balls.
Jaiswal was eventually dismissed for 84, but he had done enough to put India in a commanding position. Tilak Varma (7 not out) and Deepak Hooda (6 not out) then finished the job with ease, as India chased down the target with 18 balls to spare.
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Hetmyer, Hope Give West Indies a Solid Start
West Indies got off to a good start in their innings, with Brandon King and Kyle Mayers putting on 38 runs for the first wicket. However, Mayers was dismissed for 14 by Yuzvendra Chahal, and King followed soon after for 22.
Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell then tried to rebuild the innings, but they were both dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav for 11 and 12 respectively. Hetmyer and Hope then came together and put on a 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Hetmyer was the aggressor in the partnership, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 39-ball knock. Hope played the supporting role, scoring 29 off 29 balls.
Hetmyer was eventually dismissed by Harshal Patel for 61, but Hope and Odean Smith then added 33 runs for the fifth wicket to take West Indies to a respectable total.
Arshdeep and Kuldeep Shine for India
Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav were the pick of the bowlers for India, taking 3 and 2 wickets respectively. Harshal Patel also picked up a wicket. The fifth and final T20I will be played in Florida on Sunday. India will be looking to win the match and take the series 3-2.