India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted on Friday that no total could be considered safe with dew playing a decisive role, after the hosts' mammoth 249/5 was overhauled by the West Indies in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The visitors completed the second-highest successful run chase in men's T20I cricket, reaching 252/4 with two overs to spare to win by six wickets.

Iyer on the Dew Factor

'Honestly speaking, you cannot put a number to it, because when the dew factor comes in, it plays a massive role. And even 249 was chased in, like, with two overs to spare. So you cannot give a number, or probably anticipate that, okay, this is the number we would be trying to score,' Iyer said at the post-match presentation. It was a frank acknowledgement that conditions — not planning or execution alone — had swung the contest decisively in the West Indies' favour once the second innings began.

Hope and Rutherford Dismantle India's Defence

West Indies skipper Shai Hope anchored the chase with a blistering century off just 45 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford added a destructive 84 off 37 deliveries. The two combined in a 120-run fourth-wicket partnership that transformed what appeared to be a difficult chase into a stroll. Iyer acknowledged the minimal margin for error on a batting-friendly surface. 'The margin of error on this wicket is very minor, and any delivery, if you miss it, it was going onto the stands. You could see how exceptional they were batting. Credit where it's due — they batted amazingly,' he said.

India's Bright Spots: Mayank's Powerplay Burst

India were not without positives. Mayank Yadav rattled the West Indies top order in the powerplay, dismissing Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rovman Powell in quick succession to leave the tourists at a difficult position. Iyer singled out Mayank for praise, saying 'those three crucial wickets stabilized the rhythm for us up ahead.' However, the Hope–Rutherford stand erased that advantage with a relentlessness that India's bowlers could not counter in the dew-drenched conditions.

Samson and Abhishek Set the Tone with the Bat

Sanju Samson had set the platform for India's large total with a brutal 82 off 41 balls, while Abhishek Sharma provided an aggressive opening. Iyer chipped in with 40 off 18 balls and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 44 off 18 to push the total past 249. 'Both were phenomenal in their departments, and this is what we look for from Sanju and Abhishek — the way they've been performing consistently throughout, taking that responsibility and setting the pace for us,' Iyer said, describing their performances as 'exceptional.'

Series Outlook

The loss levels the five-match series at 1-1, with the third T20I now a crucial pivot. India will need to address their bowling strategy in dew-heavy conditions, particularly the management of death overs when the ball skids through and grip is negligible. The result also underlines a growing vulnerability: India's high-scoring totals at home are no longer the guarantee they once were when conditions tilt sharply towards batting in the second innings.