Player of the Match
Player of the Match

That's an important win for India and now we move to Lauderhill, in Florida after a bit of a break. The fourth and fifth T20I will be played over the weekend. It was an out-and-out Surya show today, and India will travel to Florida with renewed confidence. Thanks for tuning in today. We'll be back in the weekend for the final two games. Till then, on behalf of Sreshth, Thilak and Chandan, this is me Ashish, signing off. Goodnight!

Lastly Hardik Pandya, the India captain: [Win] Very important. We spoke about that fact, that these games will be very important. We had to back ourselves. Two losses or two wins do not change things. We have a long-term plan and it was important we showed our character. [Spinners] There was no certain plans. We wanted to use them more with Nicky [Pooran] not coming in. Axar didn't bowl in the last match, but the way he bowled today, I could use Yuzi and Kuldeep later. Mukesh and Arshdeep ended well. [Bowling to Nicholas] If Nicky wants to hit ,let him hit me. I like that kind of competition. I knew I couldn't err in line and length. It's exciting. I hope he comes after me in the fourth game. Within the group it is important we back ourselves. It is what it is. We don't have someone at 8. But bowlers win you games. If batters scores runs, you don't anyone at 8. The next game will be exciting. [On Surya-Tilak stand] Brilliant. Both of them play together and they understand each other. I am lucky to have someone like Surya, who likes such challenges. And he wants to take the responsibilities. He sends a lot of confidence within the group.

West Indies captain, Rovman Powell first up: We were 10-15 runs short. It was a pretty good wicket. The start we got [with the bat], it was something we asked for. We lost way in the middle. In the heat of the moment, we wanted to give Charles the chance [at No. 3]. Nicholas has been destructive. Things went smoothly. We were just 10-15 short. We bowled too much pace-on deliveries. We weren't away from that. We have a few days to sit down and relax and come back.

Suryakumar Yadav is the Player of the Match: It was really important to be myself in the powerplay. The tam wanted me to bat a much as possible. I practiced these [scoops] strokes a lot. I have loved to do that. I just like to express myself. [Batting with Tilak] We've batted for a long time now. We both understand each other. It was his day to bat with maturity. He was batting with a lot of confidence. Helped me bat well. We spoke in the team meeting. Our captain said it was important for someone to put their hand up.

Time for presentation

Ranjith: "Tilak Varma presenting his case strong and clear for selection in WC squad!"

1.48pm Tilak is left stranded on 49, but he won't mind, surely. A third successive stellar knock from him and this time he makes sure to stay till the end. India lost debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over while Shubman Gill fell soon after. But, it was Surya-Tilak show thereon. The duo added 87 off 51 balls with Surya doing the bulk of the scoring. He whacked 83 of the finest runs off 44 balls, which included ten fours and four sixes. Tilak then took over and remained unbeaten on 49 off 37. More importantly, India finally got that 'W' on the board in the T20I series. West Indies bowlers took the first two wickets, but were taken to the cleaners by Surya.

Karan: "Hardik hardik. Couldnt have let Tilak get a 50?" Team game, no?

vignesh: "So 4th option both not getting to milestone"

17.5
6
Powell to Pandya, SIX, Hardik finishes things off in style and India seal the win with 13 balls to spare! Slower ball that was bang in Hardik's hitting arc outside off. He will not miss out on those and sends it soaring up and over long off for a mighty six. India make it 1-2 with a convincing seven-wicket win.
17.4
1
Powell to Tilak Varma, 1 run, Inside-edge that goes perilously close to the leg stump. Fuller off-pace ball outside off. He drives and is lucky to still be out there
17.3
1
Powell to Pandya, 1 run, Banged in short outside off, he pulls it towards deep midwicket for a run

Four to win. Last ball?

17.2
1
Powell to Tilak Varma, 1 run, Slower length ball outside off, pushed towards cover and sets off
17.1
1
Powell to Pandya, 1 run, Slower length ball to start off outside off, he mistimes his loft to deep cover. Hardik was looking for a second, but is sent back by Tilak

Six to win. Rovman Powell brings himself on

END OF OVER:
17 | 6 Runs | IND: 154/3 (6 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.05, RRR: 2.00)

  • Hardik Pandya12 (12b)
  • Tilak Varma47 (35b)
  • Alzarri Joseph4-0-25-2
  • Romario Shepherd3-0-36-0
16.6
1
Joseph to Pandya, 1 run, Nails the yorker again on leg stump. Hardik digs it to wide long on
16.5
2
Joseph to Pandya, 2 runs, Complete miscue, but the ball falls in no-man's land. He was aiming midwicket, the ball goes over cover. Length ball outside off. Hardik swings himself off his feet trying to heave it away. Loses his grip but get enough bat for the ball to sail over extra cover, who runs back but can't reach in time
16.4
1
Joseph to Tilak Varma, 1 run, Attempted yorker and almost nails it as he digs it towards deep backward square leg for a run
16.3
0
Joseph to Tilak Varma, no run, Slower length ball outside off, he gets across and pats towards point with soft hands
16.2
2
Joseph to Tilak Varma, 2 runs, Fuller on middle and leg, he clips it towards wide long on for a couple. That brings up India's 150.

Hardik says khatam karna hai. Have to finish it.

India in West Indies 2023 News

India 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st6Shubman GillYBK Jaiswal
2nd28SA YadavShubman Gill
3rd87SA YadavNT Tilak Varma
4th43HH PandyaNT Tilak Varma