Windies level T20 three-match series against India

Windies level T20 three-match series against India
Associated Press / Aijaz Rahi

West Indies leveled the T20 three-match series against India on Sunday to trounce the hosts by eight wickets in 18.3 overs.

Needing a victory to keep the Twenty 20 International series alive, West Indies comfortable chased down 171 at the Greenfield International Stadium, in Mumbai, to break a seven-game losing streak to the Indians and turn the game into a series decider later this week.

Veteran opener Lendl Simmons stroked his first half century in nearly four years, while Nicholas Pooran made an instant impact in his first match from his ball-tampering ban, to strike 38 not out off 18 balls, as West Indies brushed aside powerhouse India. He made 67 not out to earn the Man-of-the-Match award.

Opener Evin Lewis extended his good form with 40 off 35 deliveries and was joined by Shimron Hetmyer who struck a cameo 18-ball 23,

Sent in earlier to bat, India came up short on 170 for seven off their 20 overs with only Shivam Dube, who top scored with 54 from 30 deliveries and wicketkeeper Rishbabh Pant with an unbeaten 33. They were only two batsmen to pass 20, which saw the hosts manage 77 runs over the last 10 over.

In the first T20 in Hyderabad two days before Virat Kholi dashed West Indies hopes of victory with 95 not out as India beat them by six wickets with eight balls to spare, to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Set an imposing task of 208 for victory India struck 209 for victory off 18.4 overs.

West Indies made 207 for five off 20 overs- their fifth highest total in the format and highest in more than four years.