India moved ahead in their five-match
The incident occurred when Axar Patel flicked a low full toss from Gudakesh Motie toward deep backward square leg. Both Varma and Patel, believing fielder Kamil Pooran had touched the boundary rope while saving the ball, completed a single and celebrated with a fist bump. However, Pooran had successfully kept the ball in play and returned it to the middle. While Patel managed to ground his bat at the non-striker's end, Varma remained out of his crease, allowing Motie to break the stumps. The third umpire confirmed the save and ruled Varma out for 28 off 16 balls.
India's batting surge and bowling response
Despite the unusual dismissal, India managed to post a formidable total of 223. The innings was anchored by a blistering 108-run partnership off just 40 balls between
In response, West Indies finished on 209/7. Naman Dhir proved instrumental in the middle overs, removing both Kamil Pooran (42) and Shimron Hetmyer (43) after their 60-run stand. Arshdeep Singh spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming 3/44, while Dhir finished with 2/39. Although Shamar Springer provided a late scare with an unbeaten 35 off 11 balls—including three sixes in the final over bowled by Patel—India held firm to secure the win.
Following the match, captain Shreyas Iyer lauded his bowling unit for their composure under pressure. The series, which saw India win the opener in Lucknow and West Indies level the score in Ranchi, now moves to Hyderabad for the fourth T20I on Wednesday.
