On Sunday, West Indies defeated the hosts India in the second T20I to level the three-match T20I series 1-1 at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
With the heroics of openers – Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis – and a fearless cameo at the end by Nicholas Pooran, the visitors dominated India in their home conditions.
Pooran, who was playing his first game after the ban due to ball-tampering, impressed everyone with his unbeaten 38 off just 18 deliveries. The wicket-keeper batsman hit four 4s and two sixes at an exhilarating strike rate of 211.11.
Indian ace Ravichandran Ashwin was bedazzled by his former Kings XI Punjab teammate, and took to Twitter to laud Pooran’s performance.
Pooran came to bat when the Caribbean side needed 59 off 38 balls. The southpaw took Indian bowlers to the cleaners and finished the game in the 19th over.
“This Guy Pooran is special,” Ashwin tweeted.
This guy Pooran 🤷🏼♂️.. ( special )
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 8, 2019
Simmons slammed an unbeaten 67 off 45 balls and won the Player of the Match award.
“Like playing against India, it’s a good challenge. Haven’t played international cricket for a while, good to be back on the circuit, playing for the West Indies. Those guys can go at it from ball one, they have a different type of talent,” said Simmons at the post-match presentation.
“I’m a bit old school. Take my time initially. I understand my game, understand my role in the team. My job in the powerplay is to go hard. Easier to bat outside the powerplay, knock the ball around and get the odd-boundary. Once you get in on that wicket, you can play your shots, and I just did that today,” added Simmons.
The series decider will be played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday (December 11).
