Afp, Mumbai

Skipper Virat Kohli led the sixes charge with seven hits over the fence to set up India’s series-clinching 67-run win over the West Indies in the third T20I yesterday.

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Kohli, who smashed an unbeaten 70 off 29 balls, combined to hit 16 sixes between them as the hosts posted 240 for three in Mumbai.

The Indian bowlers then kept the West Indies to 173 for eight to win the three-match series 2-1.

Sharma, who hit 71, and Rahul, who top-scored with 91, put on 135 runs for the opening wicket. Kohli soon joined the party to flay the West Indies attack as he completed his fifty in just 21 deliveries.

West Indies slipped to 17-3 and were forever playing catch-up with the towering run-rate despite a valiant 39-ball 68 from skipper Kieron Pollard who hit six of the 12 maximums in the chase.

Pacemen Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each.

“Hitman” Sharma led the batting onslaught with an attacking fifty that was brought about with two sixes and a boundary. He finally fell while attempting another big heave to be caught by Hayden Walsh Jr off Kesrick Williams.

Rahul then put on 95 runs with Kohli before getting out in the last over.

Scores in brief

India: 240 for 3 (Sharma 71, Rahul 91, Kohli 70 not out; Williams 1-37, Pollard 1-33)

West Indies: 173 for 8 (Pollard 68, Hetmyer 41; Chahar 2-20, Shami 2-25, Kumar 2-41)

Result: India won by 67 runs and win series 2-1

Player-of-the-match: KL Rahul