India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 International series. They were under pressure of sorts, but Suryakumar Yadav and Venkatesh Iyer added an unbroken 48 to take India home. Before that, Rohit Sharma’s 40 at the top and a memorable debut from leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi helped India to win by six wickets.
Rohit decided to bowl, keeping the dew in mind. Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned for India. For West Indies, Kieron Pollard was back as captain, but Jason Holder was out due to a last-moment injury. They also played three spinners in Akeal Hosein, Fabian Allen and Roston Chase.
It was important for Bhuvneshwar to get his rhythm early, and a wicket in his first over helped his confidence. Nicholas Pooran came at No. 3 to play the key innings for the West Indies. He and Kyle Mayers batted throughout the Powerplay to add 47 before Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Mayers for 31.
Then Bishnoi make his mark. He started well, and using googlies abundantly. One such delivery helped him get his maiden wicket, as he got Chase plumb in front. Another tossed-up delivery in the same over helped him get Rovman Powell.
At the other end, Pooran kept playing his shots. He hit five sixes and four fours in his 43-ball 61. He, and some late innings hitting by captain Pollard, helped West Indies cross 150 and finished with 157/7. Harshal continued to pick late wickets to finish with 2-37.
India started in an aggressive fashion. Rohit found his touch very early. He played shots in every direction and lifted India to 57/0 in five overs. The introduction of Chase helped West Indies come back to the match. He bowled brilliantly, choking Ishan Kishan, who did not look comfortable at all. He also dismissed Rohit to halt India’s scoring and dismissed Kishan after the batter struggled to a 42-ball 35.
Virat Kohli looked in decent touch but could score only 17 before he was caught at long-off by Pollard off Allen. Rishabh Pant also did not last long, as India lost three wickets in the space of 21 runs. But Suryakumar showed his maturity, while Iyer also showed his skills on what is going to be his home ground in the Indian Premier League.
Suryakumar hit a four and a six in the 17th over to make the equation easy for India. A massive six from Iyer eventually helped India close the win with seven balls to spare.
West Indies 157/7 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 61; Ravi Bishnoi 2-17) lost to India 162/4 in 18.5 overs (Rohit Sharma 40; Roston Chase 2-14) by 6 wickets with 7 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Ravi Bishnoi.