The last couple of months have been hard for West Indies cricket after they could not qualify for the ODI World Cup for the first time in its 48 years of history. They lost the Test and ODI series against India but they always had their chance in the T20I series, a format in which they have excelled.
West Indies registered their maiden five-match T20I series win against the Indian team as they won by 3-2 after winning the deciding game by eight wickets at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.
West Indies fast bowler Romario Shepherd admitted that this win means a lot to them. Shepherd played a key role for the home team in the final game, registering figures of 4-31 (his best bowling figures in T20Is) in his quota of four overs. Thus, the home team restricted India to 165-9 after Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to bat first.
The right-arm pacer accounted for Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav in his fine spell. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Match for his fine performance.
Furthermore, Shepherd took a total of nine wickets, the most in the series, in the five matches.
Shepherd said in the post-match presentation, “Makes me feel happy. We ended up on the winning side. Thanks to Pooran and team. From the ODIs to now, I have been bowling well. The best so far I feel. Especially, the plan was to take wickets. Means a lot to us. We have been through hard times in the last few months.”
Meanwhile, Brandon King scored an unbeaten knock of 85 runs off just 55 balls to help the Windies chase down the target with two overs to spare. Moreover, Nicholas Pooran continued his purple patch as he scored a useful knock of 47 runs and added 107 runs with King.
Pooran was awarded Player of the Series for scoring 176 runs in the five-match series.
