Eight years back, on 27 August, India and West Indies gave fans one of the most exciting T20I matches ever seen, lighting up Lauderhill, Florida with a batting display that left them all stunned. This match took place in a more eventful manner than a cricket game. Both teams collected a total of 489 runs, while the match broke the T20I record at that time. This record was not broken until last year when South Africa and the West Indies exceeded it with 517 runs in Centurion.
The confrontation was furthermore adorned with the 32 sixes that were hit, a batch that was at that time a world record. Although in the end, the West Indians defeated them, they only managed to do so by one run after a nerve-wracking last over.
The day was kicked off by India winning the toss and deciding to field, something they might have regretted the instant the carnage started. West Indies’ openers, Johnson Charles, and Evin Lewis, went all guns blazing, piling up a fiery 126-run partnership in just 9.2 overs. Charles was at least finally removed by Mohammad Shami after a whirlwind 79, however by then the damage was already done.
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Throughout his innings, he singles-handedly put India under pressure with his onslaught that gave him 100 runs off just 49 balls. He also included five fours and nine towering sixes in his innings.
.@imjadeja & @Jaspritbumrah93 allowed 🇮🇳 made a bit of a comeback in the last 5 overs
🇮🇳 conceded 46 runs while claiming 5 wickets (🎥:⬇️)
WI ended the 1st innings at 245/6
+pic.twitter.com/YkeScp3iFW— North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) August 27, 2024
Even with the departure of Lewis, West Indies gained on the runs. The contributions from all-rounders Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard also added to the power of the total to a commanding 245/6. Jasprit Bumrah was the best Indian bowler of the day, with his economy rate of 11.75 being the testament to the fact that all the bowlers that day had a tough time.
Chasing 246, India had to do something amazing and Rohit Sharma set them off to a flyer with a 28-ball 62. Nevertheless, wickets fell at regular intervals including Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli’s dismissals, keeping West Indies in control. However, then came KL Rahul, who played one of the best T20I innings with his 51-ball 110, which maintained India’s hopes.
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When the match reached the last over, India was in a position to require just two more runs in the last ball to win. It was an old-fashion battle between Dwayne Bravo and MS Dhoni. Bravo delivered a slower ball which Dhoni cut towards the short third-man region but Dhoni was dismissed as a result, which turned out to be a dramatic victory for the West Indies.
