By Brandon Corlette at Providence
Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav were protagonists at Providence as India roared to their first win in the 5-match T20I series against West Indies. Suryakumar slammed a classy 83 while Kuldeep claimed 3-28 on his return, as India won the third T20 by seven wickets.
West Indies still lead the five-match series 2-1, with two matches to be played in Florida.
India began their chase of 160 with the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal (01), removed by Obed McCoy with the score at 6-1 in the first over; and Shubman Gill, who dominated the last Indian Premier League, continued to struggle, and made only six from 11 balls.
However, Suryakumar and Tilak Varma took the game away from the West Indies with an 87-run stand for the third wicket. Suryakumar, who is well-known as SKY, displayed a wide array of innovative shots. His 83 runs included 10 fours and four sixes. Alzarri Joseph who continues to impress with his pace, ensured SKY was removed for 83 from 44 balls. His innings was the highest by an Indian batsman at Providence.
At 121-3 in 12.4 overs, India were in the driver’s seat, and not even the rain could have saved West Indies.
Varma (49 not out) continued his consistent run, while Hardik Pandya (20 not out) ensured no further hiccups as India clinched victory by seven wickets and 13 balls to spare. Joseph ended with 2-25 in his four overs, while India ended on 164-3 in 17.5 overs.
West Indies, having won the toss, had opted to bat. Jason Holder was absent from the team with a niggling injury, and Roston Chase was included. West Indies had a solid start, with openers Kyle Mayers and Brandon King contributing 55 runs for the opening stand. While it was not a brisk start, the duo played some good shots and got value for their runs.
Mayers was the first to be dismissed, after making 25 runs; and 20 runs later, Johnson Charles’s struggle came to an end after he had made 12 runs from 14 balls.
The returning Kuldeep Yadav proved too hot to handle, as he mesmerised the batters, trapping Charles at the wicket at 75-2 in 10.5 overs. King, who is no stranger to Providence, stood firm as he watched the in-form Pooran racing away. West Indies were 105-3 when Pooran departed for a shot-filled 20, ending his hot-streak at Providence where he scored three fifty+ scores in his three previous T20I games in Guyana.
King then offered a brisk return catch to Yadav, who made no mistake in ensuring the Jamaican was dismissed for a run-a-ball 42, which had five fours and one six.
Shimron Hetmyer was warmly welcomed to the crease by his home fans, but it was not his day to fire. At 123-5 after 17.1 overs had been bowled, Hetmyer departed for nine, being caught at long-off.
Captain Rovman Powell, having witnessed some poor shot selection from his team mates at the other end, took matter into his own hands and slammed three sixes and one four in his 19-ball unbeaten 40, which took West Indies to 159-5 in 20 overs. Powell’s best shot was a crisp six over extra cover which left the fans in awe.
The returning Yadav was the star with the ball for India as he claimed 3-28 in four overs.
The teams will now travel to Florida for the fourth T20I, which bowls off on Saturday, August 12. The final match of the series will be played in Florida on the following da