Port of Spain

Half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Axar Patel helped Team India win the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against West Indies by two wickets on Monday.

India has now taken a winning 2-0 lead in the series.

Struggling at 79/3, a 99-run stand between Iyer (63) and Samson (54) provided stability to their innings. In the end contributions from Deepak Hooda (33) and Axar Patel (64 not out) proved to be extremely vital in taking the visitors to a win.

West Indies lost control of the match despite sending back the top order in the early stages of the match and despite posting a huge total on the board themselves.

At the end of 40 overs, India stood at 212/5, with Axar 4 not out and Hooda unbeaten on 18.

The visitors needed 100 runs in the final ten overs. The scoreboard kept moving for India with the duo attempting some big hits. They took India to the 250-run mark.

19 were needed in the final three overs. Patel and Avesh Khan had the responsibility to not lose their wickets and take India across the finishing line.

Mohammed Siraj came at the fall of Khan’s wicket with India needing eight in the final over. Patel sealed the match for India with a massive six on the fourth ball of the over, finishing at 64 not out off 35 balls with three fours and five sixes.

Earlier, top knocks from Shai Hope and captain Nicholas Pooran powered West Indies to a massive 311/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

Hope playing in his 100^th ODI match scored 115 in 135 balls.

Shardul Thakur was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking 3/54 in 7 overs.

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The third match of the series will be played on July 27.