India versus West Indies 1st T20I: India starts the T20I series with a comfortable win
The Indian Cricket Team produced an impressive performance as they defeated West Indies easily in the first T20I match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to
field first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked threatening with pace and swing. He
eventually got Brandon King providing a simple catch to Surya Kumar Yadav at
backward point. Kyle Mayers opening the innings put pressure on the Indian
bowling especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar. After the initial spell
by both these bowlers, Rohit decided to bring in Harshal Patel into the attack.
Nicolas Pooran also played with intent keeping pressure on hosts' bowling
line-up. At the end of the first six overs, West Indies scored 44 for 1.
Yuzvendra Chahal produced the magic with a brilliant wicket
of Kyle Mayers. Kyle Mayers was given out by the umpire and the decision was
retained as out due to the umpire's call. Mayers and Pooran added 47 runs for 2nd
wicket. Ravi Bishnoi making his T20I debut produced the magic getting wickets
of Roston Chase and then got rid of dangerous Rovman Powell to leave West
Indies in trouble at 74 for 4.
Pooran showed intent keeping the pressure on Indian bowlers
with big shots. On the other hand, Akeal Hossain never looked comfortable not
able to rotate the strike. Deepak Chahar struck for India with a simple return
catch. Hossain and Pooran added 45 runs for the 5th wicket. Pooran reached a well-compiled half-century off 38 balls. Despite a few lusty blows by Pooran and
captain Kieron Pollard, the Indian bowlers restricted visitors to a modest
total of 157 for 7. Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of bowlers with figures of 2 for
17 while Harshal Patel took 2 wickets.
Chasing 158 runs to win, Rohit Sharma looked in sublime form
putting pressure on West Indies bowlers especially Odean Smith and Sheldon
Cottrell. On other hand, Ishan Kishan struggled to time the ball. It was a
superb start by Indian openers as they scored 58 runs at the end of the first six
overs.
Roston Chase bowled with great control and did not allow
Ishan Kishan to score runs quickly. After a brilliant start, Rohit Sharma could
not clear the boundary caught by Odean Smith. Rohit and Ishan Kishan added 64
runs laying a strong foundation. West Indies got an opportunity for a run-out due
to a mix-up between Kohli and Kishan but did not yield any results.
Chase finally got the wicket of Ishan Kishan caught by
Fabien Allen. Virat Kohli’s poor form continued trying to clear the boundary with a
simple catch to Kieron Pollard at long-off. The Indian innings derailed a
little bit after Pant was dismissed at short-fine leg. Surya Kumar Yadav looked
in brilliant touch hitting some brilliant shots against Cottrell. Venetaksh
Iyer also showed intent and helped the Indian chase on track.
Venetaksh Iyer hit the winning runs with a six to help India
register 6 wickets win. Surya Kumar Yadav and Iyer added unbeaten 48 runs for
the 5th wicket.
India 162 for 4 in 18.5 overs (Rohit Sharma 40, Surya Kumar
Yadav 34*, Roston Chase 2/14) beat West Indies 157 for 7 in 20 overs (Nicolas
Pooran 61, Kyle Mayers 31, Ravi Bishnoi 2/17, Harshal Patel 2/37) by 6 wickets.
For his 2 for 17 in 4 overs, Ravi Bishnoi was named the man
of the match. India takes 1-0 lead in 3 matches T20I series. The 2nd
T20I will be played at the same ground on 18th Feb.
Ravi Bishnoi awarded man of the match
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