Following an unabated showmanship of batting yesterday, all eyes were on the bowlers to see how they could respond on a pitch which began to show signs of slowing down. With MS Dhoni surprising everyone by going in with six specialist bowlers, considerable improvement was required to keep the target to achievable levels.
However, India did much more than that by operating as a pack and pegged West Indies back with wickets at regular intervals to restrict them to just 143. When they were comfortably placed at 15/0 in their reply, a combination of rain and poor drainage facilities had the final say as the Caribbean side took the series 1-0. In the end, a perplexing decision to delay the game by 40 minutes due to broadcasting issues came back to haunt the spectators.
Let us analyze the contributions from players of both sides during the rain-affected final T20I at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida.
West Indies
Johnson Charles – 7
A dangerous batsman at the top of the order, Charles continued from where he left off with another promising start. However, his fiery 25-ball 43 was cut short when spin was introduced.
Carlos Brathwaite – 5
Despite being the skipper of the side, Brathwaite remained content with batting at number nine. Even though he attempted the repair job with a cameo, the damage was already done.
Lendl Simmons – 5
Arriving a lot earlier than the first game, Simmons tried to patch together useful partnerships in the middle-overs. Having done all the hard work, he was left dumbfounded after hastily revealing his ploy to the smartest contemporary spinner.
Kieron Pollard – 4.5
Amidst wickets falling at the other end, the hard-hitting all-rounder became extremely crucial to West Indies’ fortunes. But, a roller-coaster ride involving two lusty blows and a close LBW shout ended when Pollard was trapped in front.
Dwayne Bravo – 3.5
The hero of the opening match, Bravo labored against the turning ball and finally succumbed without making any impact in the batting department.
Andre Russell – 3.5
A clean striker who could change the complexion of the game at any stage, Russell walked into a crisis and attempted to curb his natural instincts. But, it did not bear fruit when a half-hearted slog ended a painstaking 15-ball 13.
Evin Lewis – 3
After a swashbuckling century in the previous contest, Lewis flattered to deceive, this time around. On being confronted with more intent and pace from India's new-ball bowlers, he mistimed a pull and fell for a single digit score.
Andre Fletcher – 2.5
In a lineup where hitters compete with each other relentlessly, Fletcher’s presence was difficult to explain as much as his career strike-rate of 113.16. Up against a fired up bowling attack, he could only manage a 9-ball 3.
Marlon Samuels – 2.5
One of the most unpredictable cricketers at the moment, Samuels struggled badly on a surface which stopped a little bit. Usually a slow starter, he looked to get his eye in only to throw it all away due to an error in judgment.
Samuel Badree – N/A
Sunil Narine – DNB
India
Amit Mishra – 9
Replacing Stuart Binny in the playing eleven, the leg-spinner made an immediate impact by diving around the field and saving quite a few runs. He would go on to pick up three wickets and achieve an economy rate of six with his impressive control.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 9
India’s standout bowler in the preceding encounter, Ashwin maintained his consistency by employing his extensive bag of tricks to a greater effect. When a rebuilding seemed to be taking shape, he outclassed Simmons with his wits and proceeded to get the better of Pollard as well.
Jasprit Bumrah – 8.5
Capable of spearing down one yorker after another, the young pacer only came into the attack during the 11th over. But, he struck on his very first ball and also pretty much controlled the flow of runs as well.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 7.5
Displaying a sense of match awareness by denying width to the opposition batsmen, the swing bowler did an adequate job up front and returned to prise out Russell by relying on a fuller length.
Ravindra Jadeja – 7
With six bowling options at the captain's disposal, it was only a matter of time when one of those got under-utilized. After conceding only one run from his first over, Jadeja was taken off at the end of the next.
Mohammed Shami – 6.5
Although he copped some hammering from a rampaging Charles during the Power Play, Shami dismissed Lewis early on with his slippery pace and came back to complete the job by cleaning up the tail.
MS Dhoni – 6
Having had to run out of options in the first match, the 35-year old decided to bolster his bowling department in a bid to give himself ample back-up and was back in business once the pitch started taking turn.
Rohit Sharma – N/A
Ajinkya Rahane – N/A
Virat Kohli – DNB
KL Rahul – DNB
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