Gambhir gets no birthday present like Hope, bowlers help West Indies reach level in Hyderabad

Brief Scores: West Indies (247/3 in 20 overs) beat India (223 all-out) by 24 runs in Hyderabad

Gautam Gambhir turned 45 on Wednesday, October 14, but there were no birthday presents waiting for him in Hyderabad as West Indies secured a 24-run victory to level the series and move into the decider in Bengaluru.

Shai Hope reminded everyone that he is the man with the golden touch in India at the moment as he scored 102 off 50 balls to power his side to a total of 247 in three from 20 overs. The Indians’ chase was sparked by Sanju Samson, who hit 56 off 23 balls, but the rest of the batsmen were suffocated by smart bowling from the visitors.

Keemo Paul produced a sensational five-wicket haul as India will need to regroup quickly for the series finale in Bengaluru on October 17.

HOPE PUNISHES INDIA AGAIN AS BOWLING PLANS FAIL

Before the game started, there was a lot of talk about Gambhir’s demand for better cricket wickets. Since it was his birthday, you’d imagine he might have gotten his wish.

The track at Uppal was reportedly rescheduled before this game. Shreyas revealed that it was a mixture of 75 percent red soil and 25 black soil. Suggestions were that a score of 160-180 could be par on this course.

But what followed was completely against the script.

The first report from Mayank showed that the wicket has some spice. His first over stiffened the openers so everyone felt there might be a change in the pattern of the matches so far.

But soon it seemed that a new layer of tarmac had been added to Hyderabad’s traditional flat deck. Arshdeep’s second bowler made 17 runs as Jewel Andrew and Hope began to loosen their hands more.

Mayank’s second over was a disaster as he conceded five wides, a no ball and a six, all off the first ball of the third over. This was the boost Hope needed as he looked like the man to get a home in India after this tour.

While Axar was able to end the partnership, Hope found the perfect partner in Shimron Hetmyer, who made the No.3 spot his own for the West Indies. The pair ensured that West Indies scored 79 runs in the power play, the most in the first six matches against India.

The onslaught continued as Hetmyer bowled Axar and Hope joined in the fun as the duo bowled Naman Dhir for 19 runs in his only over of the game.

But here was an issue that Bharat Arun raised a few days ago during an interaction. India’s bowling has skill, but fitness and understanding of the conditions have been a problem for the side.

While Hetmyer went down early enough, the difference in mood between the two teams was visible. An animated Gambhir was deep in discussion with his side while Sammy was enjoying a few slices of guava.

Rovman Powell, who did not enjoy the best of times during the tour, allowed India to sneak in some tight overs, but Hope was not ready to lose his golden touch.

He reached his 50 off 27 balls with a six, bringing him level with Chris Gayle for the highest score of more than 50 for the West Indies.

That’s when Powell changed gears, removing Axar for a couple of boundaries and a six, and then Hope added the finishing touch as the 150 came in the 12th over.

Arshdeep then showed some control in the chaos as he was able to dismiss Powell by consistently bowling yorkers outside off.

However, there seemed to be no end to the Windies’ firing squad at this point as Sherfane Rutherford arrived, quickly got in and started batting.

He and Hope threw in Mayank, whose day started with much promise but ended with him conceding 52 runs in four overs. This was probably the time when India would have thought they should go with Kuldeep Yadav in the mix.

Nitish Kumar Reddy came in at number 14 with no real impact, getting 39 from his three. In the final from the all-rounder, Hope hit a couple of sixes to get to her next hundred on tour. His fourth across the two formats and second of the series.

SAMSON GLAZING BUT REST LOCKED IN 1ST DEGREE

When Samson came out to bat in Hyderabad, it looked like he had a lot to prove that wicket-taking was meaningful. Apart from the 82 he scored in Ranchi, the series was too quiet for him.

He and Abhishek did not set the stage on fire as a pair. So Samson took the onus to dismantle the bowling. He started slowly but then switched gears during the second over against Shamar Joseph and hit a couple of sixes.

Then he took on Roston Chase, the most economical bowler in the series, and hit him for 25. Suddenly, the Hyderabad boy Abhishek seemed to be left chasing shadows.

Samson reached his fifty in 20 balls as India scored 60 from four overs. But this is where the difference between Indian and Windies bowlers became evident.

The Indian bowlers were able to play the first crack on the new track, yet failed to use the variable bounce to their advantage. But Keemo Paul did it in his very first over as he got rid of Samson and Ishan Kishan in the same over.

On the other hand, Abhishek looked like a shell of himself. Off the power play, the southpaw scored just 8 off 8 balls as India got to 80 in the first six.

But from then on the Windies bowlers hunted like a pack, using the bouncer to good effect and the slower ones too. Shreyas soon returned to the pavilion and Abhishek, apart from a couple of big hits, looked unconvincing in the middle.

At short, Hope was aided by a variety of bowling options. He threw the ball to Gudakesh Motie and the spinner provided the magical spark his side needed.

He picked up Abhishek and Naman off consecutive deliveries and India were in big trouble. Hyderabad boys Tilak and Nitish combined to keep India in the hunt.

They were able to keep India in the running thanks to timely boundaries and some smart running. But the equation needed one big end and Nitish managed to get it from Shamar’s second.

He got a couple of sixes and the equation was 59 off 24 balls. Another six from Tilak and suddenly the scores were even, giving the fans hope.

But Shepherd dispatched a timely wicket as Tilak departed. Springer came around to seal the deal when he allowed five runs in the 18th.

Nitish fought on but Paul was able to get him and then clean up Prince Yadav with a slower serve as the win was sealed. He completed his five-wicket haul with the scalp of Axara to cap off a memorable day.

Finally, Arshdeep was hit on the bowling arm in the final over to seal the game and add to the worries of the Indian think tank.

– The end