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Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel‘s incredible show with the bat helped India beat West Indies in a thriller at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Sunday (July 24).
Opting to bat, the hosts posted a formidable total of 311 in 50 overs, thanks to opener Shai Hope’s brilliant century (115) in his 100th ODI appearance, along with skipper Nicholas Pooran‘s sensational 74. For the visitors, pacer Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 54 in seven overs.
In reply, India were reduced to 79/3 before Iyer and Samson steadied the ship with their respective half-centuries. The pair formed a vital partnership of 99 runs for the fourth wicket before the home team dismissed both players quickly to make a comeback in the game. While Iyer scored 63 off 71, Samson made 54 from 51 deliveries.
The game could’ve slipped away from India’s hands, but Axar’s terrific knock came out of the syllabus for the Caribbeans as he scored a blistering unbeaten 64 off 35 to take the ‘Men in Blue’ over the line as they registered a record 12th consecutive bilateral series win against the West Indies.
Most consecutive bilateral ODI series wins against a team:
12 – IND vs WI (2007-2022)*
11 – PAK vs ZIM (1996-2021)
10 – PAK vs WI (1999-2022)
9 – SA vs ZIM (1995-2018)
9 – IND vs SL (2007-2021)
Highest targets successfully chased in ODIs in West Indies:
361 – ENG vs WI Bridgetown 2019
313 – SL vs WI Bridgetown 2003
311 – IND vs WI Port of Spain 2022*
309 – WI vs PAK Providence 2017
Here is how Twitter reacted:
.@akshar2026 played a sensational knock & bagged the Player of the Match award as #TeamIndia beat West Indies in the 2nd ODI to take an unassailable lead in the series. 👏 👏 #WIvIND
Scorecard▶️ https://t.co/EbX5JUciYM pic.twitter.com/4U9Ugah7vL
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2022
Axar Patel brilliance! And what a way to finish the game! Another edge of your seat ending! Thrilling stuff. #WIvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 24, 2022
First half century in ODI’s for Sanju Samson. So many of his fans hope it’s the first of many👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 24, 2022
Axar Patel’s knock was one of the finest knocks that you’d see in a run-chase. The clarity of thought. The confidence with which he managed the chase…’incredible’ is falling short to define it. Brilliant, Bapu 😊😊
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 24, 2022
A match-winning knock of 6️⃣4️⃣*(35) from Axar Patel backed by half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson help #TeamIndia seal the series with ☝️game to spare. 👏🔝
A turnaround to remember for the #MenInBlue. 💥🔥#PlayBold #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/Gh8OJJ6hz1
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) July 24, 2022
Most sixes by an Indian at No.7 or lower in a successful ODI chase:
5 – Axar Patel v WI, today
3 – MS Dhoni v ZIM, 2005
3 – Yusuf Pathan v SA, 2011
3 – Yusuf Pathan v IRE, 2011#WIvIND— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) July 24, 2022
AND WE WIN WITH A 6️⃣ 💙💙💙💙#WIvIND #MenInBlue #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/xMIUbOlvqd
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 24, 2022
In close games, Siraj and Axar have delivered wins; Samson and Hooda have played good hands in unfamiliar roles; Shreyas is making himself difficult to leave out; Gill has made a case. And Shikhar just owns this format.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2022
India pull off a thriller in the final over to win by 2 wickets. #WIvIND #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/0xnSYNMyzC
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 24, 2022
Axar Patel showcased his ability as an all-rounder. Quality finish. Him & Hooda were effective on this pitch & played crucial innings. Fine knocks from Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson & Gill too. Stellar effort to chase 312. Tough luck, West Indies
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 25, 2022
The winning six by Axar Parel when India need 6 from 3 balls, a fantastic finish. pic.twitter.com/miSwDLeQVO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 25, 2022
Brilliant knock @IamSanjuSamson!
Showed his quality throughout and deserved more
— Jake Lush McCrum (@JakeLushMcCrum) July 24, 2022