West Indies make 'positive start' in 1st T20

A brilliant bowling effort from West Indies stifled India's vaunted batting line-up, to snatch a thrilling four-run victory in the first match of a five-match T20 series, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba.

Defending what looked like an inadequate 149 for six, West Indies took timely wickets, and difficult catches, to undermine India's reply.

A maiden bowled by Man-of-the-match Jason Holder, in the 16th over, broke the back of the Indians, with the wickets of captain Hardik Pandya (bowled for 19) and Sanju Samson (run out for 12).

With India 113 for six and needing 37 from 24 balls, West Indies tightened the screws to leave the visitors ten to win in the last over. Windies skipper Rovman Powell entrusted pacer Romario Shepherd with the responsibility, and he delivered, The Guyanese scattered Kuldeep Yadav's stumps with a yorker, first ball, and conceded just five runs as West Indies, for the first time this tour, lead India 1-0.

Speaking to the media after the victory, Powell said it was crucial for the hosts to get the upper hand.

"We talked last night about starting the series on a positive note and putting the Indians under some pressure, and I think we did that today," he said.

Powell said he felt West Indies were ten to 15 runs shy of a good total, "but the bowlers bowled extremely well. They summed up the conditions and realised a lot of slower balls were needed, and that was delivered."

Earlier, left-arm orthodox Akeal Hosein got the breakthrough luring IPL 2023 top scorer Shubman Gill out his crease to have him stumped for three. Recalled left-arm quick Obed McCoy then removed the other opener, Ishan Kishan, for six.

However, debutant Tilak Varma cracked consecutive sixes in a 17-run over bowled by Alzarri Joseph to ease the pressure as India ended the powerplay on 45 for two.

India were motoring along nicely with Varma and Suryakumar Yadav putting on 39 runs when the latter fell to a sharp catch by Shimron Hetmyer at short extra-cover off Holder.

A bouncer from Shepherd proved Varma's undoing as he pulled it straight into Hetmyer's lap at the square-leg boundary. Wickets continued to tumble as Windies smelled blood.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, West Indies got a good start courtesy Brandon King (28), who rode his luck after being dropped while scoreless.

However, India seized the initiative with the wickets of Mayers (1), King and Johnson Charles (3).

But Nicholas Pooran, fresh off a blistering 137 from 55 balls in the Major League Cricket, gave the home fans a brief show with an entertaining 41 off 34 balls.

He immediately countered spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who had earlier trapped Mayers and King LBW, lofting him down the ground for a boundary – first ball, before closing the over with a maximum. Pooran and Powell, who arrived after Charles' dismissal, repaired the innings with a pragmatic approach.

However, when Pooran fell to the short-ball trap from Pandya, the burden was placed on Powell to up the ante. Aided by two reprieves, Powell made them pay with 48 off 32 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

India did not allow the hosts to cut loose and grabbed the scalp of Hetmyer for another low score (10), and Powell caught at long off. West Indies managed just 21 runs in the last three overs, leaving fans uneasy at the halfway stage, but later jubilant after their bowling performance.

The series shifts to Guyana for the next two T20s on August 6 and 8, before the final two matches bowl off in Florida on August 12 and 13.