WI vs IND | Had a really clinical game again today, states Virat Kohli

After a comfortable victory in the first match, an all-round performance in the second T20 has earned India a series victory with a game in hand. They were on the front foot throughout the match and started off with the bat in full flow, with all the three top-order batsmen chipping in with good contributions. However, the middle overs were a bit slow for them before Ravindra Jadeja and Krunal Pandya ended with a flourish.

“Had a really clinical game again today. As we spoke in the morning, pitch was going to be good to bat on early on. New ball was coming on nicely. We set up a good foundation. Good finish from Jadeja and Krunal to get us past 160. The way we were going, could have got to 180, but pitch slowed down considerably in the latter half,” skipper Kohli said in the post-match presentation, reported Cricbuzz.

The win allows India to play youngsters Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar, while maybe also hand a debut to 19-year-old emerging talent Rahul Chahar in the next game.

“Sealing the series gives the chance to bring few guys in. Idea is always going to be to win first, but winning the first two games gives the cushion,” Kohli added. 

Restricting Windies to 95 in the previous match, Indian bowlers impressed again as they had Windies reeling at 97/4 with more than 15 overs played in yesterday’s match. Washington Sundar has been the pick of the bowlers, picking two wickets and conceding runs at a strike rate of only six even though he bowls with the new ball in the powerplay. 

“Starting with the new ball, the way Sundar has bowled against guys who come hard at the ball, he's done a tremendous job. The composure he's shown has been outstanding. He's become fitter, leaner and is very handy with the bat as well. He is definitely going to be a factor for us,” Kohli said.

“T20 is always going to be an exciting game for people to watch. Haven't played in Guyana before, great opportunity to experience how it's going to be like,” he added with the third T20 scheduled for Wednesday.

Krunal Pandya was named the player of the match after the 28-year-old scored a quickfire 20 not out before picking up two crucial wickets, including that of the in-form Rovman Powell.

“It has been good two games for us. Different experience playing in USA. I've been playing this role in IPL as well, and in domestic cricket as well. When you bat at No.6-7, sometimes you click, sometimes you don't. Today I was lucky enough to hit two good shots. But it helps when you have scored some runs. Happy the way I bowled as well. The confidence carried over with the bat helps. It's our second game so I knew the pace to bowl at. It was two-paced, some were sticking and some were skidding. Didn't bowl in the arc, kept it outside off” Pandya said of his performance.