In the chase, India did not get off to an auspicious start as debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 1 trying to go after Obed McCoy. Suryakumar began his innings in ominous fashion, slamming a four and six off his first two balls. At the other end, though, Shubman Gill (6) miscued one off Alzarri Joseph.
Suryakumar reached his half-century off only 23 balls, taking on most of the West Indies bowlers. In all, he struck 10 fours and four sixes, which featured his trademark whips and scoops. He was looking good for three figures when he fell to a full toss off Joseph.
Varma and skipper Hardik Pandya (20 not out off 15) then did the finishing job for India. Pandya ended the game in fine fashion, launching his opposite number Rovman Powell for a maximum over long-off.
Earlier, West Indies put up 159/5, batting first after winning the toss. Powell led the way for his team, hammering 40 not out off only 19 balls. After a slight delay due to the 30-yard circle not being drawn, West Indies got off to an impressive start as openers Brandon King (42 off 42) and Kyle Mayers (25 off 20) added 55 in 7.4 overs.
Axar Patel dismissed Mayers as the batter top-edged a slog-sweep, while Johnsn Charles fell lbw to Kuldeep for 12. Nicholas Pooran smashed a quick-fire 20 off 12. He could not carry on as he was stumped by Kuldeep for 20. The left-arm spinner also dismissed King caught and bowled in the same over.
Shimron Hetmyer fell to Mukesh Kumar for 9; Powell got some much-needed big hits at the death. He struck two sixes off Arshdeep Singh in the 19th over and one off Mukesh in the last over as West Indies set India what seemed like a challenging target of 160.
The last two T20Is of the series will be played in Lauderhill, Florida on August 12 and 13.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
