ANOTHER WHITEWASH

Romario Shepherd
West Indies’ Romario Shepherd bats during the third Twenty20 international cricket match between India and West Indies in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.
Associated Press/Bikas Das
India swept the three-match Twenty20 series against the West Indies on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The regional team crashed to a 17-run defeat to India in the final Twenty20 International, to leave the six-match ODI and T20 series with nothing to show for their efforts.
In pursuit of 185 in order to avoid a second whitewash on the tour, West Indies remained in the hunt deep into the batting but once left-hander Nicholas Pooran was dismissed for 61 at the start of the 18th over with 38 required from 18 balls, the run chase was quickly derailed.
All-rounder Romario Shepherd tried to salvage the chase with a robust 29 off 21 balls, including a four and three sixes, but was all in vain as he was out to a catch in the deep by captain Rohit Sharma.
West Indies opted to bowl first and appeared to be shackling the hosts when they limited them to 98 for four after 15 overs.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav, right, plays a shot during the third Twenty20 international cricket match between India and West Indies in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Associated Press/Bikas Das

But India’s Suryakumar Yadav exploded with a top score of 65 off 31 balls, powering a 91-run, fifth wicket partnership with Venkatesh Iyer (35 not out) as India gathered 86 runs from the last 30 balls to end on 184 for five.

West Indies ended the tour without a victory after losing the ODI series 3-0 that was played before the T20 series.