Debutant Krunal Pandya and the wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik guided India to a victory after safely chased the 110-run target in 17.5 overs while they lost five wickets (110/5) against the Windies in the first T20I at Eden Gardens (Kolkata) on Sunday night.
After winning the toss, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma decided to field first. Windies batsmen totally failed to stand against the Indian bowlers as they lost the wickets in regular intervals.
Once again, the Windies top-order batsmen failed to provide a good start and it hurt hugely the visitors. Apart from the lower-order batsman Fabian Allen, who scored 27 off 20 balls (4 fours), none of Windies batsmen reached the 20-run marks.
Opener Shai Hope (14), no.3 and no.4 batsmen Shimron Hetmyer (10) and Kieran Pollard (14) and another lower-order batsman Keemo Paul (15*) were the other men to play the double-digit knocks in this innings.
Among the Indian bowlers, the left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was the best as his bowling figure was 4-0-13-3. Also, the pacers Umesh Yadav (1/36) & Jasprit Bumrah (1/27) and the debutants Khaleel Ahmed (1/16) & Krunal Pandya (1/15) all took one wicket each.
In reply, the Indian top-order batsmen struggled against the Windies bowlers and lost their wickets at cheap. While both the openers – skipper Rohit Sharma (6) and Shikhar Dhawan (3) – failed to reach the double-digit scores along with the no.4 batsman Rishabh Pant (1), KL Rahul (16) and Manish Pandey (19) failed to reach the 20-run marks.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik and the debutant Krunal Pandya played crucial knocks and rescued the hosts to secure a five-wicket victory with 13 balls remaining. Both batsmen remained unbeaten as Karthik scored 31 runs off 34 balls (3 fours and only six) and Pandya played a memorable debutant knock of 21 off 9 balls (3 fours) to secure a brilliant victory.
Also watch: Dinesh Karthik Smashed Kieron Pollard Left, Right and Center
Among the Windies bowlers, the debutant pacer Oshane Thomas (2/21) and the skipper Carlos Brathwaite (2/11) both took two wickets each, while another debutant left-arm spinner Khary Pierre (1/16) picked up one wicket.
Kuldeep Yadav won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant bowling. With this first T20I victory, India has taken the 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Such a bundle of talent Kuldeep. He has now got a quick delivery going at 107 kph. His average speed is in the 70s.
👏👏👏🙏#IndvWI— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 4, 2018
While watching Krunal play you wouldn’t know that it was his first International game. Totally in control throughout. Impressive. #ThankYouIPL #IndvWI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 4, 2018
Extremely impressed with the calmness of Krunal Pandya. It has only been one game but he gives the impression he is ready.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 4, 2018
Game on now! India need to keep wickets against the few overs of pace left because there is 8 overs of spin to follow
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 4, 2018
Krunal Pandya completes fine debut with crucial knock following a fine spell. Taut match though! What a pitt West Indies without Russell, Narine and Gayle
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 4, 2018
If DK was not a cricketer. #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/qXV2VK86Z2
— Mask Ishan (@Mr_LoLwa) November 4, 2018
Just a reminder that @DineshKarthik still has a lot to offer to this Indian middle order. Once again he has quietly done the job even as the others will get/take the honours. You can say he is the silent warrior, who shows the same emotions through success and failure !! #INDvWI
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) November 4, 2018
If West Indies’s top order batting was insane, India’s is plain nuts. Poor, poor shot by Rahul. Four wickets lost and the team finds itself in a hole
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 4, 2018
Bit of life in the pitch. All flat track bullies are getting found out 😹
Kohli shielded most of them in those few odd games.#INDvWI
— SwingAndSeam (@swing_seam) November 4, 2018
Krunal pandya for odis as well please, better than jadeja ye danke ki chot pe kahta hoo abhi#INDvWI
— Akki (@CrickPotato1) November 4, 2018
Short people's problem 😣#INDvWi pic.twitter.com/UDndfF0KiZ
— Tweetera🐦 (@DoctorrSays) November 4, 2018
This rishabh pant is msd's replacement!!
😂😂#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/qUk4HSavCv— 👑🔥 (@Shubh_AD) November 4, 2018
So happy for Krunal Pandya. As I already said, been rooting for him since months now & to finally see him get his debut n do so well makes me so very happy. More than anything, just love his Street Smartness & Maturity. Up n onwards mate. Super proud & Happy 😊 #INDvWI #INDvsWI
— Saurabh (@imsgshinde) November 4, 2018
DK is arguably the best non-VK match-winner for India in recent T20Is! Keeps his cool and plays a measured innings!#INDvWIN #INDvsWIN #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/5cbemDvkGb
— M S Krishna Prateek (@mskp_29) November 4, 2018
