Lendl Simmons Helps Windies to Draw Level in T20I Series

West Indies brought their A-Game into the field during the second T20I against India on Sunday as they convincingly won at Thiruvananthapuram to keep the series alive. Chasing 171 for a win, Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten 67 along with helpful knocks from Evin Lewis (40) and Nicholas Pooran, who made an unbeaten 34, helped the visitors over the line by 8 wickets.

The Men in Blue never looked like they were in the game in the second innings as they constantly erred in their line and lengths and fielding to let Windies slip away.

After Keiron Pollard won the toss and chose to bat first on a sluggish track, KL Rahul was sent back early in the 4th over. The fans were in for a surprise as Shivam Dube and not Virat Kohli came in to bat at the number 3 position. The move proved to be a masterstroke as the left-handed all-rounder scored 54 in just 30 balls, hitting three fours and four big sixes. He took pressure off from Rohit Sharma, who was soon dismissed by Jason Holder.

Kohli then walked out but struggled against the West Indies bowlers who were craftily varying their pace. Dube, however, looked like he was playing on a different track as he completed his maiden T20I fifty in just 27 balls. Closing in on 160 after the 16th over, India looked well poised for a score of over 200, but the introduction of Hayden Walsh Junior stalled the run flow, as the Indians could manage to reach 170 for the loss of 7 wickets.

In reply, the Windies got off to a sedate start – they tried to save their wickets rather than going for the big sixes straightaway. Once the powerplay ended, Evin Lewis exploded, and Simmons, who was given two reprieves, got going to make life more miserable for the Indians. Though Washington Sundar sent back Lewis, and Shimron Hetmyer fell to a stunning catch from Kohli soon after, Pooran, who was returning after a four-match ban for ball tampering, ensured that the Men in Maroon chased down the target with plenty to spare.

They have now drawn level in the series and will play the next game at the Wankhede Stadium.