Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant help India clinch T20 series against Windies with eight-run win

Kolkata — Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant hit attacking half-centuries to set up India's eight-run series-clinching victory over West Indies in the second Twenty20 international on Friday.

Chasing 187 for victory, West Indies finished on 178 for three despite a threatening century stand between Nicholas Pooran (62) and Rovman Powell (unbeaten 68 off 36 balls) in Kolkata.

India, who whitewashed the West Indies 3-0 in the preceding one-day matches, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series.

Pooran, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, smashed five fours and three sixes in his 41-ball knock before falling to pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar in a four-run 19th over.

With 25 needed off the final over, Powell attempted a final onslaught with two sixes off Harshal Patel but the bowler held his nerve.

"You are always a bit scared when you are playing against these guys," skipper Rohit Sharma said after India's 100th T20 victory including Super over and bowl-out wins.

"But I am proud we executed our plans under pressure. It was very critical at that point when Bhuvneshwar bowled. That's where experience comes into play."

Man of the match Pant said: "I think Powell was hitting bullets out there."

"But at the back of the mind I was happy as well because he will be playing for (IPL side) Delhi Capitals."

Powell was bought by Delhi, led by Pant, for $375,000 in the weekend auction of the cash-rich Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament starting next month.

Off-spinner Roston Chase took three wickets after West Indies elected to bowl in skipper Kieron Pollard's 100th T20I but Pant's unbeaten 52 steered India to 186 for five.

The Indian batting wobbled after Kohli's 52 but Pant, who hit an unbeaten 52 off 28 balls, and