the Indian Team is looking horns with West Indies for the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli decided to bowl first after winning the toss. India chased down a total of 208 runs with 8 balls to spare as chase master performed his duty to the full extent.
West Indies had a great start to their innings as they smashed as many as 13 runs in the first over of Washington Sundar, but lost Lendl Simmons in the second over itself bowled by Deepak Chahar. Brandon King came out to bat to join Evin Lewis.
West Indies went on to score as many as 66 runs in the powerplay. However, Sundar dismissed Lewis after getting smashed for a six. Shimron Hetmyer joined King in middle after Evin’s dismissal. Both King and Hetmyer kept on smashing the Indian bowlers as they amassed as many as 101 runs in the first 10 overs of the innings.
WATCH – Ravindra Jadeja Dismisses King On His Birthday
However, it was the birthday boy, Ravindra Jadeja who managed to get rid of the dangerous looking Brandon. After his dismissal, skipper Kieron Pollard joined in Hetmyer and they added as many as 71 runs for the 4th wicket before Yuzvendra Chahal dismissing both of them in the 18th over. However, catches of both the batsmen were dropped in the previous over of Chahar. With those wickets, Chahal became the joint-highest wicket-taker in Men’s T20Is, tied on 52 with R Ashwin. West Indies went on to score 207/7 in their quota of 20 overs.
WATCH – Chahal Dismisses Pollard And Hetmyer In The Same Over
During the chase, the Indian fans got to see the form of Kohli which was missing for quite some time in 2019. He demonstrated one of the best wrists works as he almost single-handedly dictated terms in the chase. His duel with Kesrick Williams rather brought the best out of the 31-year-old and Kohli loses not on many occasions.
The start wasn’t as expected for India as Khary Pierre dismissed, Rohit for just 8 runs. However, KL Rahul didn’t get bogged down and played some brilliant strokes even as Virat literally struggled in trying to force the pace. Though they made sure that they didn’t throw their wicket. Just at the right time, they increased the tempo and the intensity of the game grew as well with it.
West Indies bowlers were varying their lengths well but when things heated up between Kesrick Williams and Kohli, India started to come back in the game. He also mocked Williams with his notebook celebration hilariously in the 16th over and was in complete control of himself by then.
While India, at one stage, was struggling to come to terms, they ended the chase with as many as 8 balls to spare. Rishabh Pant also had a decent day with the bat scoring 18 runs off just nine balls after Rahul got out for 62. The chase was sealed in the penultimate over of the day with a trade-mark Kohli six over extra cover.
Brief Scores:
India –209/4 in 18.4 overs(V Kohli: 94*, KL Rahul:62; K Pierre: 2/44)defeatedWest Indies –207/5 in 20 overs (S Hetmyer: 56; Y Chahal: 2/36, R Jadeja 1/30) by 6 wickets and 10 balls to spare.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Kohli’s dominance:
Inka time nahi, #ViratKohli ka yeh daur hai. Highest successful run chase for Team India and what a way to do it. Good contributions from KL Rahul and a good cameo from Pant. #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/k0psdLQq64
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 6, 2019
What a masterclass from @imVkohli ! His batting was just pleasing to the eyes. Well played @klrahul11 too. Congrats team India for winning the match. #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/BKUNCzBzfd
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) December 6, 2019
Loved the way KL Rahul batted. Have been his fan….always pleasing to see him bat in this fashion. Free flowing…. #IndvWI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2019
Maybe not one of the most fluent n that makes this knock that much more special. One of the best I've seen Virat bat 🙌🙌🙌 #INDvsWI
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 6, 2019
Kohli hai tho kuch bi possible hai what a chase @imVkohli well done #runmachine 💪🏏 great win @BCCI
— Parvinder Awana (@ParvinderAwana) December 6, 2019
Jab score ho Virat toh just look at Virat😎!
What a batting performance by @imVkohli & @klrahul11 to take India home.
Manla 🙌🏽#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/z1XNTAZh2d— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) December 6, 2019
Kohli hai tho kuch bi possible hai what a chase @imVkohli well done captain 💪🏏 superb inn from @klrahul11 too and lil cameo from @RishabhPant17 great win @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 6, 2019
WOW!!!
Can't think of any other adjective for this knock @imVkohli 🙌 #INDvWI— Siddharth Kaul (@sidkaul22) December 6, 2019
India’s highest chase in T20 internationals .A masterclass from Virat Kohli , made to look so easy and finishing the job. Grwat contribution from KL Rahul in setting the platform. Congratulations Team India #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/YHZP0rzuTC
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 6, 2019
The Virat Story again. Interesting to see the aggression today, reminded of a younger Kohli. Wonderful run chase with great contribution from Rahul and a great win for India #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/GyBqbd6Ecz
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 6, 2019
Kohli.
Chase.
Repeat.🐐 for a reason.#INDvsWI
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 6, 2019
Once again @imVkohli steers the team to a smooth finish. #INDvsWI 👍🏏
And that catch by @KieronPollard55 😮
— RIDHIMA PATHAK (@PathakRidhima) December 6, 2019
Amazing. Just amazing, @imVkohli
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) December 6, 2019
Just wishing West Indies had set a high6r target! What a well deserved ton that would have been! #WhistlePodu @imVkohli #INDvsWI 🦁💛
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 6, 2019
We've lost count of Virat's 6⃣s today. The last one has won us the match!#INDvsWI #PlayBold
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 6, 2019
Most 75-plus knocks in international cricket:
168 – Sachin Tendulkar
112 – VIRAT KOHLI*
112 – Ricky Ponting
111 – Jacques Kallis #INDvsWI— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 6, 2019
