West Indies break six-year drought with India series triumph

The West Indies have broken a six-year drought by defeating India by eight wickets in the fifth and final T20I in Florida on Sunday to clinch the five-game series in style.

Opener Brandon King (85*) and Player of the Series Nicholas Pooran (47) were the stars of the show as the West Indies successfully chased down India's total of 165/9 with two overs remaining to ensure the Caribbean side registered the 3-2 series triumph.

It was the West Indies first T20I series victory over India since 2017, while the loss broke India's streak of 12 consecutive unbeaten bilateral series as the Asian side fell to their first series defeat in men's T20Is in more than two years.

It was a timely result for the West Indies, who failed to qualify for this year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India and instead now turn their focus to next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup that they will co-host alongside the USA.

Emotions were running high inside the West Indies' change room after the win and captain Rovman Powell said the players were thrilled with their efforts.

“It’s difficult to put words to it. Adjectives are inadequate in describing how we feel. The guys are elated. It’s a big series. You mention all the stuff that is going on in West Indies cricket, so it’s a very big series for us to beat India at home,” Powell said.

While India were disappointed to lose the series, they can perhaps take solace from the fact they provided some opportunity to a batch of new faces during the five matches and unearthed a couple of players that appear to have bright futures ahead.

Inexperienced duo Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma were among India's highest run scorers for the T20I component of the series, while right-arm pacer Mukesh Kumar bowled well at times during the Caribbean tour.

India coach Rahul Dravid knows there will continue to be fluctuations of form for his side should the less experienced players be persisted with.

"We did well to come from 0-2 down, but we just couldn’t close out the series today," Dravid said.

"We made a few mistakes along the way if you look at the five games, but that can happen.

"It is a young team and a developing team so there are going to be times when we have our ups and downs.

"Of course we are disappointed...credit to the West Indies as they are a good T20 side and playing in their home conditions they play particularly well."