The second T20I played in Ranchi saw 501 runs being scored as the West Indies went on to win the game with ease. Shai Hope’s 102 not out saw his side chase down the 250-run target with nine balls and six wickets in hand. The win also meant that the two sides are 1-1 going into the third game of the series in Indore on Sunday.

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media after the game and said he feared for bowlers’ careers due to high-scoring games. “Everyone wants an even contest between the bat and ball. If the fans want to see boundaries being hit, even we want that.”

He further added, “If one wants to see an even contest, then we want the same. At the end of the day, they are our bowlers and not overseas bowlers. Their careers are at stake as well. We are a world-champion side, and have to keep improving.

These were tough conditions to bowl, and we know that.”

“It is tough to bowl on flat wickets with dew, but we have to find a way to try and stop the opposition, especially when they have lost three wickets in the powerplay overs. It was a tough day, but all credit to Shai Hope for the way he batted. They are world-class in this format. We know that, but it was tough.”

Sanju Samson gave India a flying start with the bat and scored 82 off just 41 balls with nine boundaries and four sixes.

Ishan Kishan, playing in front of his home crowd, was out for 43 off 23 balls, while Shreyas Iyer scored a brisk 40 off mere 18 balls. Tilak Varma stayed not out on 44 runs with three boundaries and an equal number of sixes to help India reach 249/5 from their 20 overs.

Indian bowlers struggle for control against West Indies

In the first T20I, Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav conceded 74 runs for just two wickets from a combined eight overs.

On Friday night, Yadav picked up 3/36 from three overs, while Singh went for 45 runs without a wicket.

The same was the case during the ODI series, when debutants Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj went wicketless and also gave away more than 80 runs. It is going to be another test for the bowlers when they head to Indore for the third game. The venue is renowned for high-scoring contests.