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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, taki🍌ng 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:
. played a sensational knock & bagged the Player of the Match award as beat West Indies in the 2nd ODI to take an unasღsailable lead in the series. 👏 👏
Scorecard▶️
— BCCI (@BCCI)
Axar Patel brilliance! And what a way to finish the game! Another edge of 🌌your seat ending! Thrilling stuff.
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
First half century in ODI’s for Sanju Samson. So many of his fans ho🥃pe it’s the first of many👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
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’ i🅺s falling short to define it. Brilliant, Bapu 😊😊
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
A match-winning knock of 6️⃣4️⃣*(35) from Axar Patel backed by half-centuries from Shreyaꦉs Iyer and Sanju Samson help seal the series with ☝️game to spare. 👏🔝
A turnaround to remember for the . 💥🔥
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
Most sixes by 🍨an Indian at No.7 or lower in a successfu🧸l 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— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
AND WE WIN WITH A 6️⃣ 💙💙💙💙
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans)
In close games, Siraj and Axar have delivered wins; Samson and Hood💞a 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)
India pull off a thriller i🌱n the final over to win by 2 wi✅ckets.
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket)
Axar Patel showcased his ability as an all-rounder. Quality finish. Him & Hooda were effective on this pitch & played crucial innings. Fi🍎ne knocks from Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson & Gil🎐l too. Stellar effort to chase 312. Tough luck, West Indies
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
The winning six by Axar Parel when India need 6 from ඣ3 balls, a fantastic finish.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Brilliant knock !
Showed his quality throughout and deserved more
— Jake Lush McCrum (@JakeLushMcCrum)