India vs West Indies, 2nd T20I: Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell heroics go in-vain as hosts win nail-biter, take unassailable lead 

West Indies’ top-order batter Nicholas Pooran (62) and Rovman Powell (68 not out) put up an exhibition on show in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) against India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday but failed to help their side cross the line. Needing 25 runs off the last over in the nail-biter, medium pacer Harshal Patel maintained his composure to restrict the visitors to 178/3 after being hit for two consecutive sixes by Powell, to help the hosts take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing a challenging target of 187 runs, West Indies openers Brandon King (22) and Kyle Mayers (9), stitched together an opening stand of 34 runs before the latter was sent packing by wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. 

Pooran-Powell put up a show for the West Indies 

King was later dismissed by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi but unperturbed by the early setbacks — Pooran and Powell — stitched together a century stand for the third wicket before the wicket-keeper batter was removed by fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Pooran smashed five boundaries and three hits over the top in his 41-ball knock while Powell continued to open attack on the opposition through his unbeaten innings of 36 deliveries. It was laced with four boundaries and a spectacular five sixes. 

For the hosts, spin twins Chahal and Bishnoi scalped a wicket each, while their senior compatriot Kumar also picked up a wicket. 

Virat Kohli finds form in second T20I 

Earlier, asked to bat, India lost Ishan Kishan (2) in the second over of the match. But captain Rohit Sharma (19) and former India skipper Kohli stitched together an important partnership of 49 runs for the second wicket to turn the tide in the hosts’ favour. 

Kohli broke the duck and found his rhythm after struggling to match his own standards in the last four matches by scoring a brilliant half-century. His 41-ball innings was laced with seven boundaries and one hit over the fence. He had notched up the scores of 17, 0, 18, 8 in the previous matches. 

However, following his dismissal, Suryakumar Yadav (8) failed to get going with the bat but Pant and Iyer took on the attack on the opposition bowlers to forge a 76-run stand for the fifth wicket. 

The Delhi batter hit seven boundaries and one six in his 28-ball knock while the all-rounder chipped in with four fours and one hit over the fence. 

Resilient Roston Chase 

Experienced campaigner Roston Chase stood out once again with the ball as he picked up three wickets and was also the most economical bowler for the West Indies. He returned figures of 3/25. 

The third and final T20I will be played at the same venue on Sunday. 

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