Axar Patel wins the game in style as India seal the ODI series

India beat West Indies in the 2nd ODI in a thriller to clinch the ODI series with a game to spare. All thanks to the heroic knock from Axar Patel who finished the game in style for his team. West Indies opted to bat first after winning the toss and started their inning with positive intent as they put up a 65-run opening stand. Shai Hope then added a 62-run partnership with Shamarh Brooks for 2nd wicket before the latter's dismissal.

Chahal didn't took too much longer to remove Brandon King who departed for 0. Hope then was joined by skipper Nicholas Pooran and both played exceptionally well to put up a 117-run stand for the 4th wicket. Both reached their half centuries before Pooran was undone by Shardul Thakur on 74.

Hope on the other end looked determined as he went on to score the 13th century of his ODI career. He then added crucial runs with Rovman Powell before he was dismissed for 115 runs. The wicket-keeper batter smashed 8 fours and 3 sixes for his magnificent inning. A little contribution from Romario Shepherd, in the end, took their team total to 311/6 in their 50 overs.

Shardul Thakur was the most successful bowler for India as he gave away 54 runs in his 7 overs and took 3 wickets. He was well supported by the spin trio of Chahal, Deepak Hooda, and Axar who all took 1 wicket each. 

Chasing the target, the visitors had a decent start as they lost their first wicket in the 11th over with 48 runs on the scoreboard. Gill and Suryakumar were dismissed almost in quick succession as India looked struggling at 79/3. Shreyas Iyer was then joined by Sanju Samson and both put up a 99-run stand for the 4th wicket before Iyer's dismissal.  

The all-rounder Deepak Hooda looked good in his 33-run inning and added crucial 51 runs for the 6th wicket with Axar Patel but was removed by Akeal Hosein. There was an all Axar Patel show for the rest of the inning as the all-rounder went on to play an exceptional inning and ended up winning the match for the men in blue in style with 2 balls to go and 2 wickets in hand.

Patel scored an unbeaten 64 runs in just 35 balls with the help of 3 fours and 5 sixes as India sealed the ODI series with a game still to go. Kyle Mayers and Alzarri took two whereas Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, and Akeal Hosein got one wicket each.

Axar Patel for his all-around performance was adjudged as player of the match. India are 2-0 ahead now in the 3-match ODI series with the last ODI to be played on July 27 at the same venue.