File image of Rahul Dravi© Twitter
The second ODI between India and the West Indies went to extremes and it was Axar Patel who kept his nerves in check as he hit a six on the fourth ball of the final to help the Shikhar Dhawan-led side pursuit of 312 runs to achieve a 2-0 unassailable lead in the series. Shreyas Iyer also played a 63-point knockout, and after the match, he talked about the mood in the Indian dressing room and how head coach Rahul Dravid “got tense”.
“It was fun, to be honest. We were all sitting together and Mr. Rahul got tense. He passed the message on. But yeah, I think a lot of players there showed really good emotions. They were very calm and composed during the pressure situations,” the batter said during a post-game press conference.
“Because we’ve played so many games now, we’ve seen such emotions and it was just a normal game for us. I think we did quite well, especially Axar. Excellent knock,” he added.
Speaking further about Rahul Dravid, Iyer said: “I have been working with Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour for many years. We talk about technique and temperament from match to match. Situations change. When we have team meetings, everyone talks. We don’t come to a conclusion , but learn from each other’s points of view. It’s a good conversation between us. Rahul sir has been supporting us all the time, he doesn’t put much pressure on the mind.”
Along with Axar, Siraj went unbeaten at 1. Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson also had fifties.
Previously, the West Indies posted 311/8 in 50 overs after Shai Hope hit a 115-point knockout in his 100th ODI, making him the 10th men’s batter to score a hundred in his 100th ODI.
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Skipper Nicholas Pooran had also scored 74 runs from 77 balls. Shardul Thakur returned with three wickets for India.
India and the West Indies will face each other next Wednesday in the third and final ODI.
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