Brandon King's superb unbeaten 85 led West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India on Sunday to secure a 3-2 victory in their T20 series. Set a target of 166 to win the fifth and deciding contest, in Lauderhill, Florida, West Indies reached their target with two overs to spare with Nicholas Pooran scoring 47 in a partnership of 107 with King.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The win was a morale-booster for West Indies cricket after the one-day team failed, last month, to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
King's highest T20 international score came from 55 balls with six sixies and five fours and he kept his focus despite a delay to the game following a lightning warning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shai Hope, who steadied the ship after Pooran was removed by Tilak Varma, with the spinners second ever ball in international cricket, clinched the victory with a straight six off Yashasvi Jaiswal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Suryakumar Yadav struck 61 as India made 165 for nine while Romario Shepherd took 4-31 in his four overs as West Indies' bowling attack delivered a much better performance than in their emphatic defeat on Saturday which left the five-match series at 2-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies made two changes with off-spinner Roston Chase and pace bowler Alzarri Joseph coming in for Odean Smith and Obed McCoy and there was a better balance and performance from that line-up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Opening pair Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who put on a match-winning 165 run partnership on Saturday, were both dismissed cheaply by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tilak Varma looked dangerous before he went for 27 off 18, caiught and bowled by Chase but Yadav's innings kept India's hopes alive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Medium pacer Shepherd took care of the lower middle order as West Indies were set a target of 166 to win the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n