Follow us on TelegramYet another game and yet another thriller between West Indies and India, but there had to be just one winner. After a tough fight from both the teams throughout the contest, the second ODI also ended in a nail-biting thriller. India was one step ahead of the hosts as the Men in Blue clinched the contest by two wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
While it was a team performance by India during their chase of 312, it was Axar Patel who came out to be the match winner. He went berserk when he walked out to bat and smashed his maiden ODI half-century off just 27 balls. His unbeaten knock of 64 off 35 balls helped India clinch the ODI series and register their highest successful ODI run chase in West Indies.
Along with Patel, Shreyas Iyer (63 off 71) and Sanju Samson (54 off 51) also contributed significantly to India’s win, although they were dismissed at critical junctures that allowed West Indies to reclaim control in the match. The 28-year-old, though, just stole the show and enabled India to win another ODI series on the Caribbean soil.
India got off to a solid start in the chase thanks to a 48-run partnership between Shubman Gill and captain Shikhar Dhawan. The play was temporarily halted by rain and soon after the resumtion, Dhawan perished for a 31-ball 13. Gill, however, (43 off 49) appeared fluid throughout his time in the middle yet again.
In an attempt to take down Kyle Mayers, he attempted to play the ramp stroke, but the ball struck the bat’s toe end and rebounded to Mayers, who took a simple catch and sent Gill walking back. Suryakumar Yadav also failed to fire this time. When things weren’t going well for India’s chase, Iyer and Samson had an important 99-run stand that helped the team get back on track.
Notably, Deepak Hooda also scored a handy 33 and shared a 51-run partnership with Axar. However, fall of some quick wickets kept West Indies intrested. Unfortunately for the hosts, Axar became the party spoiler as India crossed the line with a couple of deliveries to spare.
Shai Hope’s brilliant century in vain
Earlier in the game, West Indies opener Shai Hope smashed a magnificent ton to keep his side in a commanding position. Hope displayed class with a brilliant century and West Indies’ captain Nicholas Pooran (74 off 77) embarked on a six-hitting rampage as they put together a strong batting performance. Hope focused on developing partnerships and detonated towards the end of his 135-ball 115 run knock.
He smashed three sixes and eight fours during his time with the bat. Top-order batters Mayers (39 off 23) and Shamarh Brooks (35 off 36) also displayed a fine game as India kept striving for wickets. Hope and Pooran’s partnership was ended by Shardul Thakur who scalped the latter, and the all-rounders could not contribute much towards the end, as a result of which West Indies batters finished at 311/6.
Meanwhile, here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s triumph:
Axar Patel’s knock was one of the finest knocks that you’d see in a run-chase. The clarity of thought. The confidence with which he managed the chase…’incredible’ is falling short to define it. Brilliant, Bapu 😊😊
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 24, 2022
Man that’s got to hurt players and fans. Still work to be done on death bowling and batting tempo. But little improvements happening. Good pitches. Congrats to India on a series win and Axar Patel for a brilliant knock✊🏽.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 24, 2022
There’s a guy who would want ODIs to continue.
Top player. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 https://t.co/vzdoW8pwoq— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) July 24, 2022
Oh Bapu quality che quality well played @akshar2026 top class batting in the run chase. Good hands from @ShreyasIyer15 @IamSanjuSamson @HoodaOnFire @ShubmanGill #IndvsWI
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 24, 2022
So, far so good from Bapu. He's taken a single. Avesh, hieo the message has been clear. Go Jai Mata Di but be sure.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 24, 2022
In close games, Siraj and Axar have delivered wins; Samson and Hooda have played good hands in unfamiliar roles; Shreyas is making himself difficult to leave out; Gill has made a case. And Shikhar just owns this format.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2022
🤩🤩 Chase of the Champion!@akshar2026 [📸 @BCCI ] pic.twitter.com/uYTha4gdY9
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 24, 2022
Unbelievable!
Axar Patel ! The hero of this story !
That target looked out of hands for a bit but that’s the thing about this generation, the rise to@the occasion ! Love it ❤️
C ya all on @FanCode in the next ODI !
Until then it’s me Ridhima Pathak signing off #IndvsWI
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) July 24, 2022
Axar Patel was the top-scorer in India's total of 312 with 64* – the lowest highest individual score ever in a successful 300+ chase in ODIs!#WIvIND #INDvWI #INDvsWI
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) July 25, 2022
Two tight matches, two wins showcase India’s depth of talent as well as ambition. Dhawan, Hooda, Iyer, Gill, Samson, Axar, Chahal all coming good when needed
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 25, 2022
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