HIGHLIGHTS, India vs West Indies, Full Cricket Score, 2nd T20I Match Result in Florida: Play called off as visitors clinch series 2-0

So, we have the official confirmation. India win by D/L method. This was India’s game anyway. Following a rusty start of the tour yesterday, they have produced a clinical performance in this second game. Hopefully in the third match, the team management will try out some youngsters.

India beat West Indies by 22 runs on DLS to seal the series. Rovman Powell ran them close with a quick-fire half century but a Krunal Pandya double dismissal brought things back in India’s favour. It never really looked like West Indies were getting close with the required rate climbing all the time. The action now moves to Guyana for the third T20I but India have sealed the series already.

Play has now been called off, according to the broadcasters. Which means, India win the 2nd T20I by 22 runs (DLS method) and collect an unassailable 2-0 series lead in the three-match series.

India and West Indies will now move to the Caribbean region with a T20I, three ODIs and two Tests. Here are the dates and timings for your calendar.

Chances of play resuming looking very bleak now!

Rain has intensified to a heavy shower to the point where thumping of raindrops on the pavilion is audible through the soundproof glass. If it goes on for another 5-10 minutes, you can stick a fork in this match because the ground has already taken on plenty of water this week.

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) August 4, 2019

RAIN! It has started to rain in Lauderhill now. All gloomy there and in chances of getting a restart.

India ahead on DLS

West Indies 98/4 at this stage with the DLS par score being 120. If no play from here on, India would take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the T20I series.

Meanwhile, West Indies are currently 22 runs behind the DLS par score.

So, the umpires have asked the players to go off the field due to a threat of a passing shower. Dark rain cloud is hovering over the ground and the wind is picking up. However, I believe, since it is not raining yet, they could have continued for a while. Nevertheless, West Indies are well behind the DLS par score at this stage.

PRECAUTIONARY STOP! Commentator Ian Bishop informs the play has been stopped due to impending threat of rain and multiple reports claim there is a lightning warning. The surface and the square both have been covered now.

COVERS ARE ON! With West Indies 98/4 after 15.3 overs, the players walk off the field. Plenty of dark clouds overhead and officials think wise to halt play for the moment. Pollard on 8 and Hetmyer on 6. Not raining yet so the decision to go off is a bit strange.

After 15 overs,West Indies 95/4 ( Kieron Pollard 6 , Shimron Hetmyer 5)

A boundary from the Ravindra Jadeja but more importantly, two chances to add to the wickets column. Pollard almost handing a catch back to Jadeja but the spinner is slightly slow in reacting and getting down. But the second chance, to Kohli, is the one that should have been held on to. Hetmyer tries to pull but doesn’t get the right impact and Kohli’s one-handed effort doesn’t come off in the end.

FOUR! Kieron Pollard gets going now with a boundary. Latches on to a short ball and thumps it straight down the ground. No stopping that!

After 14 overs,West Indies 89/4 ( Kieron Pollard 1 , Shimron Hetmyer 4)

With asking rate climbing, Krunal Pandya has made things even tougher for West Indies. He removes both the set batsmen in the same over. Pooran was the first to walk after having trouble scoring as is. But the wicket of Powell would hurt West Indies more. He had amassed 54 runs before Krunal got him leg before. Had he stayed, he could have given India some unnecessary headache. Now the onus on the middle and lower order to reduce the impact of a possible defeat.

FOUR! Shimron Hetmyer is new to the crease and he gets going with a boundary. Pitched outside off by Krunal, slashed by Hetmyer and the desperate attempt to prevent the boundary comes to nought. WI 89/4

Interestingly Jadeja is yet to bowl. Perhaps because of the presence of a left-hander at the crease. But now, with the Pooran threat is being removed, I think we will soon see him bowling in the death overs. At this stage, it is still India’s game to lose from here.

WICKET! Another wicket for India and Krunal Pandya. He seems convinced he has Powell leg before wicket. West Indies opt to review but it doesn’t help him in the end. It was pitching in line and going on to hit the leg stump. WI 85/4

Powell lbw b Krunal Pandya 54(34)

WICKET! Nicholas Pooran was having trouble getting the flow of runs going and he perishes in attempt at upping the ante. Smashes Krunal Pandya down the ground but only finds Manish Pandey at the long on boundary. Pandey with lovely fielding to tip-toe and stay within the playing region. Goes out and then in. Made it look so very easy! WI 84/3

Pooran c Manish Pandey b Krunal Pandya 19(34)

A well-paced innings this for Powell. He is carrying his CPL form in this game. Meanwhile, the asking rate is close to 12 now and someone like Pooran has to get himself going.

After 13 overs,West Indies 84/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 19 , Rovman Powell 54)

Eight run over for West Indies. Rovman Powell getting to his fifty run mark from 30 balls. But his main aim would be to steer West Indies over the finishing line. Navdeep Saini with not the greatest of second games and lack of discipline almost made India pay. Nothing on the free hit that followed a no ball-boundary.

FOUR! NO BALL! FREE HIT! Triple bonanza for West Indies. Navdeep Saini oversteps on the full length delivery to Powell. The Windies right hander with a smashing hit and no chance for the long off fielder to cut it off.

FIFTY! Great knock from Powell and he brings up his 50 from 30 balls. Just his second T20I fifty and how important this one could be if he could steer his side over the finishing line. Getting to the mark with a gentle single.

After 12 overs,West Indies 75/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 17 , Rovman Powell 49)

In what looked to be another boundaryless over by India, Krunal Pandya lets go of the momentum with a poor final ball. He kept the ball wicket-to-wicket, pitched up and close to the stumps for the first five balls. Until the sixth where he banged in short and Powell thrashed it for a six.

SIX! After a stellar over, Krunal Pandya with a poor ball to end with and he’s been duely dispatched. Short and Powell goes into the attack. Not difficult to pick that up and that’s a gift. WI 75/2

10-overs comparison:

India – 77/1
West Indies – 62/2

After 11 overs,West Indies 66/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 16 , Rovman Powell 42)

A much better over from Khaleel Ahmed now than his previous. Bringing in some variations, mixing things up and almost getting rid of the well-set Powell. Four runs from the over – all singles.

CHANCE! Great chance for Virat Kohli to remove Powell but the Indian skipper is narrowly short in his diving effort. Banged in short by Khaleel and the sliced effort loops up. Kohli with a dart across but the dive is narrowly short.

After 10 overs,West Indies 62/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 15 , Rovman Powell 40)

Krunal Pandya introduced by Virat Kohli now. Spinners on both ends. Goes for five runs and first over since the fourth to not produce a boundary. With 10 overs to go, West Indies need 106 runs to level the series.

After 9 overs,West Indies 57/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 14 , Rovman Powell 36)

WI went from 9/2 in 4 overs to 46/2 in 8 overs before Washington Sundar returned to curtail the flow of runs. But immediately gets spanked for a six! Powell is relentless and going all attack in chase.

SIX! Washington Sundar is back into the attack and Powell stays in attacking mode. Powell kneels and slog sweeps it over deep backward square for a big and meaty hit! WI 53/2

Powell is using the pace of the Indian bowlers quite brilliantly. Perhaps, Kohli should consider attacking him with someone like Jadeja. Powell is not a great player against slow bowling and if he tries to hit across the line, someone like Jadeja with his accuracy has a decent chance against him.

After 8 overs,West Indies 46/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 11 , Rovman Powell 28)

Unlucky stuff for Navdeep Saini. He gets the ball going at 140kmph+ pace and that is his undoing in the end. Powell with an inside edge and outside edge to pickup two boundaries back-toback. Powell off to a flier!

FOUR! Another boundary for Powell. Back-to-back boundaries and lucky, lucky stuff for him and West Indies. Takes the outside edge and beats Pant for a boundary on the opposite side now. WI 45/2

FOUR! The extra pace by Navdeep Saini at 142kmph is good enough to help West Indies to another boundary. Powell goes for the slog but gets an inside edge which beats the stumps and no fielder to cut it off. WI 41/2

After 7 overs,West Indies 36/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 10 , Rovman Powell 19)

Another fairly expensive over for India. 11 runs from the Khaleel Ahmed over with a six and a four by Powell to keep West Indies going. The flow of runs has picked up and it doesn’t help the Indian effort that the balls are there for the taking. Need to improve the line and length.

Looks like Powell has been promoted up the order to go after the Indian bowlers. Positive move this one and so far so good for him.

FOUR! Another overpitched delivery and Powell reaps more runs. This is easy pickings for him and Khaleel Ahmed is not making it difficult for the West Indies duo. Placed between cover and mid-off for a four. WI 36/2

SIX! First maximum of the West Indies innings. Length ball by Khaleel Ahmed and cleanly hit by Powell down the ground for a six. Got to the pitch of the ball and went into the shot for a six. WI 32/2

After 6 overs,West Indies 25/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 9 , Rovman Powell 9)

Now another bowling change sees Navdeep Saini come into the attack. Not the best of starts by the newcomer into international cricket. Pooran and Powell smacking him for twin boundaries and nine runs from the over.

FOUR! Banged in short by Saini but the direction is all wrong. Powell swivels and plays it behind square to collect another boundary. WI 25/2

FOUR! Here is the newcomer Navdeep Saini into the attack and second ball, Nicholas Pooran jumps into the shot and tucks it away off the pads for a boundary. WI 20/2

After 5 overs,West Indies 16/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 4 , Rovman Powell 5)

First bowling change sees Khaleel Ahmed go for 7 runs. Rovman Powell off the mark with a powerful boundary in the over. West Indies need more of that to get some balance going. A chance on the last ball of the over to run out Pooran but the effort is not on the mark. Could have been interesting if it had hit.

Not the ideal start for West Indies. Both openers are already back on the hut. On back to back days, Lewis failed to score a run and with Narine it is always a gamble, especially on a pitch like this. Nevertheless, here Windies do not have the luxury to take their time. They have to attack the new ball to keep their chances alive in this match.

First bowling change from India and Khaleel Ahmed is the new bowler. Into the slot for Rovman Powell and he thunders it straight down the ground for a four. Nice way to get going.

After 4 overs,West Indies 9/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 2 , Rovman Powell 0)

Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell in the middle now for West Indies. Pooran playing the ball down to long off to collect a single on the last ball of the over. Just the 1 run from Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s second over.

Evin Lewis has now five single digit scores out of his last seven T20I innings.

After 3 overs,West Indies 8/2 ( Nicholas Pooran (W) 1 , )

Another one run over by Washington Sundar and he gets the wicket of a dangerous Sunil Narine for good measure. What a start this for India. West Indies are in trouble early on.

BOWLED! Another early wicket for India and this time it is Sunil Narine. Tried to go into the attack to Washington but missed the slog completely. Poor shot in the end. WI 8/2

After 2 overs,West Indies 7/1 ( Sunil Narine 4 , Nicholas Pooran (W) 1)

Six runs from Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first over but it is that early wicket of Evin Lewis which would help India. They have the early blow and West Indies have to start off all over again.

GONE! What a catch from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to get rid of Evin Lewis. Bhuvi dives across following his run up and clutches on with some comfort in the end. A slower one deceiving Lewis and getting the splice back.

After 1 overs,West Indies 1/0 ( Sunil Narine 0 , Evin Lewis 0)

Washington Sundar with a great start. Sunil Narine fails to read the first six balls. Just the one run from the over – a harsh wide ball.

Sunil Narine and Evin Lewis get the West Indies chase underway. Washington Sundar gets the ball rolling for India. Narine coming in at the top following changes made by West Indies. Once again, West Indies need 168 runs to level the series or India take unassailable lead.

Evin Lewis against India in T20Is:

Average – 77.33
SR – 191.73 

This is the first time that Sunil Narine is opening the batting for West Indies in T20Is.

That final over will give India some breathing space. Keemo Paul missed his length on quite a few occasions in that 20th over and Krunal Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja showed some excellent hitting prowess. 167, on this slow pitch is a more than a decent total. However, one can not count West Indies out, especially with the kind of power-hitters they have in their line-up. I think, their approach in the first six overs will decide the outcome of this game. If people like Lewis, Narine or Pooran can get themselves going in the powerplay, we will have an interesting run-chase here. But at this point, it is advantage India.

India today:

First 10 overs : 77/1
Next 5 overs : 49/1
Last 5 overs : 41/3

The highest target successfully chased by West Indies against India in T20Is is 193 which they did at Mumbai in 2016.

After 20 overs,India 167/5 ( Krunal Pandya 20 , Ravindra Jadeja 9)

Keemo Paul bowls out the final over. Krunal Pandya collects back-to-back sixes off the first two deliveries. Dot off the third ball, with Pandya collecting all but one run off the fourth. Jaddu adds to the six count for the final over, smashing the attempted yorker towards cow corner for a maximum, before collecting a single off the final over. 20 runs off the final over of the India innings, one that may have very well shifted the momentum back in India’s favour.

SIX! Jaddu into the act now, smashing the ball towards the cow corner, where the ball hits the boundary cushion on the full! IND 166/5

SIX! Back-to-back big hits for Krunal Pandya, this one hit flat over long off! IND 159/5

SIX! Heaved over the backward square-leg fence by Krunal Pandya off Keemo Paul. Promising start to the final over from the Indian perspective. IND 153/5

After 19 overs,India 147/5 ( Krunal Pandya 7 , Ravindra Jadeja 2)

Cottrell signs off with figures of 2/25 — the best among the Windies bowlers so far — getting Pandey caught-behind off the third delivery of his final over. Ravi Jadeja walks out to bat at No 7, and gets off the mark right away with a brace.

OUT! Good use of the short ball by Cottrell! Manish Pandey ends up nicking it to the keeper while charging down the track, departing for 6. IND 143/5

Pandey c Pooran b Cottrell 6(8)

After 18 overs,India 141/4 ( Manish Pandey 5 , Krunal Pandya 6)

Tidy over from Keemo Paul, who’s brought back in place of Thomas, giving away six off his third over, including a brace to Krunal Pandya off the second delivery.

This is a nice little period for West Indies. They are getting the crucial wickets to peg India back in these final overs. Kohli’s wicket will certainly make a difference of at least 20 runs in the total. Both Thomas and Cottrell are showing what genuine pace can do, even on a slow pitch. Meanwhile, Pant’s poor form continues to haunt him. Though today, under the circumstances, one can not blame him for playing that shot as India needed some quick runs at that stage.

After 17 overs,India 135/4 ( Manish Pandey 3 , Krunal Pandya 2)

Now Cottrell finds himself among the wickets, and his victim’s the India skipper himself, whose middle stump he stumps flying with a delivery angling sharply in. Windies are back in this game after collecting three quick wickets, and have the chance to restrict the visitors between 150-160 now, especially with two new batsmen at the crease.

BOWLED EM! Cottrell sends Kohli’s middle stump flying, and out comes the famous salute! The ball angled into the batsman sharply, beating the India captain’s inside edge and knocking the middle pole off clean! IND 132/4

Kohli b Cottrell 28(23)

After 16 overs,India 130/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 26 , Manish Pandey 2)

Excellent over from Thomas, who’s starting to make a comeback of sorts after an expensive start earlier in the innings. Gets rid of Pant off the first delivery of the over, the keeper-batsman getting tempted by a short ball outside off that he redirects straight to Pollard at third man. Four runs and a wicket from the over.

OUT! Rishabh Pant throws his wicket away once again, and begins his disappointed march back to the dugout. Short ball from Thomas and he’s instantly tempted to uppercut it towards third man, straight into the hands of Kieron Pollard. IND 126/3

Pant c Pollard b Thomas 4(5)

After 15 overs,India 126/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 24 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

Narine bowls out his quota, finishing wicketless for 28 runs, nine coming off his final over. Kohli steps out of his crease and flicks the ball through the midwicket region for a boundary off the second delivery.

Looks like that blow on the elbow disturbed Rohit’s composure. But he has done his job. For West Indies this is an important phase of the match. It won’t be easy for the new batsman to get going straightway. So, if the Windies boys can control the damage in this death overs and restrict India within 160-165, I think they will have a chance here.

FOUR! Kohli charges down the pitch against Narine and flicks the ball out of midwicket’s reach, collecting his first four in the process. IND 122/2

After 14 overs,India 117/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 18 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Thomas brought back. Rohit suffers a painful blow on his elbow while attempting a pull off the third delivery. The impact of the blow perhaps affected his concentration a bit, as he failed to pick a slower ball from the pacer, slicing the ball high in the air to get caught by Hetmyer and depart for 67. Rishabh Pant walks out to the crease, and gets greeted with a bouncer first up, one that’s adjudged a wide. Six runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Rohit’s stay at the crease comes to an end. Slices a slower ball from Thomas high in the air, and Hetmyer settles under the ball at extra cover to collect it safely. IND 115/2

Rohit c Hetmyer b Thomas 67(51)

After 13 overs,India 111/1 ( Rohit Sharma 66 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

The West Indies skipper is back into the attack. Rohit puts him under pressure right away, collecting a six and a four off the first three deliveries, guiding the ball towards either side of the wicket. Rohit brings Kohli on strike with a single off the fourth, the Indian captain then collecting a brace off the penultimate delivery. 13 off Brathwaite’s second over.

Most 50-plus scores in T20Is:

21 – ROHIT SHARMA*
20 – Virat Kohli
16 – Martin Guptill

FOUR! Full toss outside off, this time Rohit slicing this behind point. IND 108/1

Considering the conditions, this is a very sensible knock by Rohit. He has taken his World Cup form across the Atlantic. Earlier in the innings today, he tried to play over the in-field and now when the field restrictions are over, Rohit is finding the gap like a true craftsman. Looks like he wants to convert this into a big one. Ominous signs for West Indies.

SIX! Rohit reaches out for the ball pitched ouside off, and drags this towards deep midwicket, getting enough power on the shot to clear the fence. Third six of his innings, this one bringing up the 100 for Team India! IND 104/1

After 12 overs,India 98/1 ( Rohit Sharma 55 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

11 off Pierre’s second over, including a six collected by the India skipper off the second delivery, charging down the pitch and lofting the ball over the bowler’s head.

Rohit Sharma now holds the record of hitting most sixes in T20Is, going past Chris Gayle’s record of 105 sixes.

Virat Kohli now holds the record of scoring most runs in T20s among Indians, going past Suresh Raina’s 8392 runs.

SIX! Now the India skipper gets into the act, dancing down the track and lofting the ball straight down the ground for a maximum! IND 94/1

After 11 overs,India 87/1 ( Rohit Sharma 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Rohit collects his second six of the innings, smashing the ball off the second ball of the over over midwicket, before collecting a single to bring up his half-century. Attempts to heave the ball towards midwicket off the last delivery, only this time it’s a chance dropped by the fielder in the deep. 10 off Narine’s third over.

Fifty up for Rohit Sharma off 40 balls, bringing up the milestone for the 17th time in T20Is! Guides the ball down the ground for a single to bring up the milestone. IND 85/1

SIX! Rohit Sharma rocks back and smacks the ball beyond midwicket for a maximum — his second of the innings! IND 84/1

After 10 overs,India 77/1 ( Rohit Sharma 43 , Virat Kohli (C) 5)

Khary Pierre, replacing John Campbell in the XI today, is brought into the attack in the 10th over. Starts off with a dot and a wide. Rohit and Kohli deal in singles off the remaining deliveries of the over, collecting four of them. Five off the over.

So Keemo Paul has broken through. It was an ugly looking shot from Dhawan which resulted his downfall. Looks like the heat and humidity are getting the better of the players. The batsmen are saving their energy by jogging through the singles. Even the deep fielders are not showing any urgency to throw the ball. Tough conditions these for players.

After 9 overs,India 72/1 ( Rohit Sharma 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Quiet over from Narine, with just four singles coming off it. Sedate start so far for the Indian skipper, who walks out at his usual limited-overs spot of one-down.

Virat Kohli’s batting average in T20Is:

Home : 44.44
Away : 49.72
Neutral : 58.90

Most 50-plus stands in T20Is:

11 – Martin Guptill/Kane Williamson
10 – Rohit Sharma/Shikhar Dhawan* 
09 – Kyle Coetzer/George Munsey
09 – David Warner/Shane Watson

After 8 overs,India 68/1 ( Rohit Sharma 39 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Misfield by keeper Pooran allows Dhawan to come back for a second run at the start of the over. Dhawan then chips the toe end of his bat while playing a shot next ball. Dhawan’s innings comes to an end off the fourth delivery, getting his stumps rattled after attempting a wild slog towards the leg side and missing the ball completely. Seven runs and a wicket from the over.

OUT! Keemo Paul gets the breakthrough! Dhawan gets dismissed in a manner not very different to the one in the first T20I, going for a wild heave towards the leg side, only to miss the ball completely and get his stumps rattled in the process. IND 67/1

Dhawan b Paul 23(16)

After 7 overs,India 61/0 ( Rohit Sharma 38 , Shikhar Dhawan 18)

The West Indies skipper brings himself into the attack now, conceding a single off each of his first three deliveries before firing the ball far down the off side for a wide off the fourth. Dhawan beats short third man with a well-timed late cut for a four, and follows it up with a single down the ground for a single off the penultimate delivery. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Dhawan goes for a late cut, beating the fielder at short third man, to collect his third four. IND 60/0

India have got the start they were looking for now it is all about building on it. From West Indies’ point of view, Brathwaite needs to show character as a captain here. He has to change the pace, perhaps it’s time for spin from both ends – Narine and Pierre.

After 6 overs,India 52/0 ( Rohit Sharma 36 , Shikhar Dhawan 12)

Change from both ends now, with Keemo Paul coming in place of Sheldon Cottrell. Rohit flicks a juicy full toss off the third delivery over the midwicket fence for a six, and plays a similar shot off the next delivery to collect a brace. Makes it worse for Paul by sweeping the ball past short fine for a four off the penultimate ball, before collecting a single off the last delivery to keep the strike. 13 off the over. Superb start for the Indians so far today.

FOUR! Lovely adjustment from Rohit, getting down on one knee and somewhat sweeping the ball past the man at short fine for a four. Brings up the fifty opening stand with that shot! IND 51/0

Sunil Narine has dismissed Rohit Sharma eight times in T20 cricket. His average against Narine in T20s is 19.75.

SIX! First big hit of the innings! Juicy full toss from Keemo Paul, and Rohit uses his wrists well to flick this over the midwicket boundary. IND 45/0

After 5 overs,India 39/0 ( Rohit Sharma 23 , Shikhar Dhawan 12)

Spin brought into play for the first time today, with Sunil Narine getting the ball for the fifth over. Keeps it tight for the first five deliveries, conceding just one, before Dhawan steps out of the crease and drives the ball past mid on for a boundary. Five off the over.

FOUR! Dhawan charges down the track and drives the ball down the ground, beating mid on along the way. IND 39/0

After 4 overs,India 34/0 ( Rohit Sharma 22 , Shikhar Dhawan 8)

Rohit continues to bat flamboyantly, collecting two fours off first three deliveries, the two separated by a double. The ‘Hitman’ runs the ball towards mid on for a single off the penultimate delivery. Dhawan cuts the ball behind square off the last delivery, coming back for a second. 13 off the over, with 25 coming off the last two. India have accelerated so far in the powerplay.

So, as expected the Indian openers are going after the new ball, especially Rohit is timing the ball beautifully here. He is using the pace of Thomas and Cottrell to get those early boundaries. Think, Thomas has been bowling unnecessarily short on this slow pitch.

FOUR! Two boundaries off three balls for Rohit Sharma! This one’s lofted aerially, albeit a lot straighter down the ground. IND 31/0

FOUR! Lofted cover drive by Rohit Sharma guiding the ball over extra cover. This one from Cottrell had a boundary written all over it, and Rohit gleefully accepted it. IND 25/0

After 3 overs,India 21/0 ( Rohit Sharma 11 , Shikhar Dhawan 6)

Expensive second over from Thomas, with both Rohit and Dhawan collecting a boundary each. Single collected off each of the remaining deliveries of the over, the openers rotating the strike between themselves nicely.

FOUR! Dhawan uses the extra bounce on offer to ramp the ball over the keeper’s head for his first boundary. IND 21/0

FOUR! Rohit smacks a length delivery from Thomas towards the midwicket fence to make it two fours in his boundary count. IND 14/0

After 2 overs,India 9/0 ( Rohit Sharma 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Sheldon Cottrell from the other end. He end up conceding three runs from the over, all of them through wides. Will hope for a more disciplined approach in the remainder of his spell.

Feel, both the BCCI and West Indies cricket board deserve a lot of credit for playing these T20Is on American soil. Thanks to its huge expat population, the USA has more than a decent market for the game of cricket and these matches are attracting a lot of eyeballs on that part of the world. I think this is a positive move towards the globilasation of the sport.

After 1 over,India 7/0 ( Rohit Sharma 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Rohit collects a boundary off the very first delivery of the day, guiding a back-of-length ball from Thomas behind square for a four. Rohit chips the ball wide of the bowler off the next delivery, which then is followed by a wide down the leg side and a single. Big appeal for caught-behind against Dhawan off the penultimate delivery, with the West Indies losing a review after taking it upstairs. Six off the first over.

Rohit Sharma – Shikhar Dhawan stands vs West Indies in T20Is: 1, 7, 123, 13, 4

FOUR! Thomas starts off with a back-of-length ball down the leg side, and Rohit swivels around to guide this towards the backward square leg fence, collecting a four off the first delivery of the innings. IND 4/0

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to open the India innings, the duo hoping to guide India to a better start than what they managed yesterday. Oshane Thomas to start off with the ball as usual.

Looks like West Indies have taken a leaf out of India’s book. Khary Pierre, a left-arm spinner has been added to the mix today in place of opener Campbell. It also means that Narine will open the batting and they will try to attack the new ball. 

However, from India’s point of view, a steady start will be the key. Windies have a very decent pace attack and on this sticky kind of a pitch, they can make life difficult for the batters, like we had seen yesterday. In hindsight, batting against the hard new ball, is probably the best time to get some quick runs on this pitch. So, I am quite eager to see the approach of Rohit and Shikhar here.

We are back on the park once again in Florida and both teams will take on each other on the same surface which produced that low-scoring encounter yesterday. And for Kohli, batting first after winning toss seemed like a no-brainier today. The pitch is expected to get slower as the game progresses and something around 160 can be a winning score here.

West Indies XI: Sunil Narine, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Khary Pierre, Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas

Carlos Brathwaite, West Indies captain: Looks a better wicket. Looks like there will be a bit of moisture. Shouldn’t have changed much. Will give us a little more time to assess (the pitch), which we didn’t do yesterday. Backing the boys to come out on top today. Campbell out, Narine opens the innings, and Khary Pierre comes in.

India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Navdeep Saini, K Khaleel Ahmed

Virat Kohli, India captain: Looks like a pretty okay wicket today. All the moisture from the pitch is gone, and looks like it will get slower and slower. The first six overs, the ball is going to come on nicely. Important to assess the pitch once the ball gets older. Same XI from yesterday.

TOSS: India win the toss, and skipper Virat Kohli opts to bat first.

Pitch report

There is bit of moisture in the surface aided by overnight rain and dark spots. Darren Ganga reckons the team which wins the toss will opt to field.

Navdeep Saini on debut in first T20I: “When I got to know that my name is in the XI, I couldn’t even believe it, that the day I had waited for has come. When he (Pooran) hit for a six, the only thing going in my mind was that I have to have self-belief, and I continued to bowl the line and length I was focussing on. I concentrate on keeping myself fit. My practice sessions are tailored to what matches I am going to play. I think the pitch will be a bit different today, but my plan will remain to stick to my line and length.”

Toss in about 20 minutes but would be interesting to see what the pitch report is though. The surface was damp yesterday and that is unlikely to change in the quick window. So we may again see a low scoring game. Will India make any changes to give more players some chance? Remains to be seen.

Good news for the players as well as fans: Rain not expected to hold play up today. Which means 40 overs of uninterrupted action. Read the full weather forcast for Lauderhill, Florida here .

Gautam Gambhir, someone Navdeep Saini owes his career to for the amount of support he received from the former India and Delhi batsman, has lashed out at Indian cricket stalwarts Bishan Singh Bedi and Chetan Chauhan, alleging the two tried to impede the pacer’s progess through the ranks.

Here’s how Bedi responded to Gambhir’s fiery statement.

Meanwhile, over at the Ashes, Steve Smith has slammed a second consecutive century and continues to lead the Australian charge on Day 4 of the first Test of Ashes 2019 at Edgbaston. Follow live updates here .

India skipper Virat Kohli too has lavished praise on Navdeep Saini for his Player of the Match performance on debut, describing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer as a “rarity with his raw pace”. Read the full story here .

Navdeep Saini had a dream debut yesterday, stifling the West Indies batting lineup with figures of 3/17, including a wicket maiden and wickets off successive balls in his very first over in international cricket. Here’s the Delhi lad expressing his joy over finally realising his dream of playing for the Indian team.

For India, the ongoing tour of West Indies marks the beginning of their preparation for the ICC World T20 that takes place in Australia in 2020. Winning the T20I series would be a good way to begin that preparation, and the ‘Men in Blue’ will hope to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series when they take on the Windies at Florida on Sunday. Read the full preview here .

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the 2nd T20I between India and West Indies at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida. It’s a do-or-die game for the Windies, who are trailing the three-match affair 0-1 after a poor performance on Sunday.