Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson got India back on course after early setbacks but it was Axar Patel's fiery 64 not out that powered them to a sensational last-over win over West Indies in the second One-Day International. Chasing 312 to go 2-0 up in the three-match series, India needed 100 runs from the last 10 overs with five wickets in hand. Also Read | 'He is a must': Shoaib Akhtar hints at cricket legend's appearance in his upcoming biopic 'Rawalpindi Express'
Axar hammered 64 off just 35 balls, and sealed the win with his fifth six. It was also his maiden fifty in the 50-over format. With the win, India extended their winning streak against the West Indies to 12 matches – an impressive run that dates back to November 2018.
Away from home for the limited-overs assignment, the visiting team has found heroes in absence of top stars including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Right-handed Shreyas also seems to have rediscovered his mojo, having scored two straight half-centuries in West Indies.
Iyer made 63 off 71 balls batting at number 3, putting on a 99-run stand with Samson, who made 54. The right-handed player had scored 54 in India's three-run win in the first match, and he said he would look to score a century in the next game.
"I was happy with what I scored today but unhappy with the way I was dismissed. I could have taken the team through easily. I was setting up the total and it was unfortunate that I lost my wicket. Hopefully, I can do better and score a century in the next match," said Shreyas after the game.
{{/usCountry}}"I was happy with what I scored today but unhappy with the way I was dismissed. I could have taken the team through easily. I was setting up the total and it was unfortunate that I lost my wicket. Hopefully, I can do better and score a century in the next match," said Shreyas after the game.
{{/usCountry}}"Last time also it was a good catch (to dismiss him). Obviously, I can't say I threw away my wicket but I should have converted into hundreds. But I feel good to to contribute to the team's win."
The 27-year-old further revealed the dressing room environment during tense moments during the 312-run chase. India needed six off three deliveries when Axar finished off the match with an elegant hit down the ground.
Iyer said, "It was fun, to be honest. Rahul (Dravid) sir was getting very tensed, he was passing messages. But the players were very calm and composed during pressure situations."
Iyer, who has been falling into short-ball traps, credited his return to form to hard work he has been putting in recently. "The result I am getting is because of the hard work I am doing. I am doing some extra hard work recently because wickets and conditions are changing and there are back-to-back matches so I have to keep fit and try to control the controllables," said the batter.