PROVIDENCE: Tilak Varma struck his first international half-century as India struggled to 152-7 after winning the toss and batting first in the second T20I against West Indies in Guyana on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Varma, who helped light up the IPL with 343 runs for the Mumbai Indians this season, made 51 from 41 balls before clipping left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein to fine leg where Obed McCoy pouched the catch.

Varma came to the crease in the fourth over after Shubman Gill was caught at third man off Alzarri Joseph and Suryakumar Yadav, playing his 50th T20I, was run out by a direct hit from Kyle Mayers to leave India on 18 for two.

Varma added 42 for the third wicket with Ishan Kishan before the opener was bowled by Romario Shepherd for 27.

Sanju Samson fell cheaply and after the dismissal of Varma, who hit five fours and one six in his 51, it was left to slipper Hardik Pandya with 24 from 18 balls to drag the Indians towards a half-decent target.

The West Indies bowlers kept it tight throughout with none of them conceding more than 29 runs, Shepherd, Joseph and Hosein picking up two wickets each.

West Indies won Thursday’s opener in the five-match series in Tarouba by four runs after posting a similar 149 for six.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2023