Suryakumar blitz keeps India alive in WI series

Suryakumar Yadav has hit a 44-ball 83 after both India openers were out early to pace the visitors to a seven-wicket win over West Indies in the third Twenty20 match.

The hosts still lead the five-match series 2-1 ahead of the final two matches on Saturday and Sunday in Lauderhill, Florida.

West Indies captain Rowan Powell won the toss on Tuesday and decided to bat, his side compiling 5-159 with Brandon King top-scoring with 42 and Powell adding an unbeaten 19-ball 40.

India replied with 3-164 in often steady drizzle, which did not stop play, at Providence Stadium, Guyana.

After India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (one) and Shubman Gill (six) were out before the fifth over, Yadav, the world's No.1 T20 batter, hit 10 fours and four sixes.

Tilak Varma (49 not out off 37) was batting when the winning runs were scored.

Kuldeep Yadav led the tourists' bowlers with 3-28, while Alzarri Joseph had 2-25 for West Indies.

"It was a pretty good wicket. The start we got, it was something we asked for, but we lost way in the middle," Powell, who estimated his side was 10 or 15 runs short, said.

"We have a few days to sit down and relax and come back."

Suryakumar Yadav, who was named player of the match, said: "It was really important to be myself in the Powerplay.

"We've (he and Varma) batted for a long time now. We both understand each other."

In the second T20, West Indies survived a late scare to beat India by two wickets with seven balls remaining after the home side had won the opener by four runs.