Dinesh Karthik anchored a tricky chase with a measur𝐆ed unbeaten 31 𝓰as India beat Windies by 5 wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
After restricting the 🎶visitors at a below-par score of 109-8, India suffered a top-order collapse but Karthik stayed till the end to guide the hosts home with 13 balls to spare.
All-rounder 🃏Krunal Pandya made a memorable debut, claiming the important wicket of Kieron Pollard before returning to score 21 not out off just nine balls, including the winning runs.
Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav ripped th🔥e heart out of th✅e Caribbean side with his triple strikes as the touring batsmen struggled to read the unorthodox left-arm spinner.
Fabian Allen top-scored for the Windies with 27 t🌳o take them past the 100-mark.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
India had early jitters chasing 110 but and saw them through to t✱ake a 1-0 lead in the series 👏👏
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
Such a bundle of talent Kuldeep. He has now got a quick delivery going at 107 kph. His average speed is in the 70s.
👏👏👏🙏— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
Congratulations Bo🐻y’s @klrahul11 @R♉ishabPant777
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11)
Lovely composure from Krunal Pandya on his debut match for India and Dinesh Kart🦋hik using all his experience to help India win th❀e first T20. WI have a really exciting prospect in Oshane Thomas
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Glad to see the youngsters like taking the lead and being so disciplined in his bowling spell. Loved the way silently played a good knock today. 🐻Also, a good debut for . Congratulations Team India for the win!
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
While watching Krunal play you wouldn’t know that it was his first Intern💫ܫational game. Totally in control throughout. Impressive.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
I am enjoying watching the calmer, more measured Dinesh Karthik bat. It would be interesting to ask him but I believe he has been at his best as a batsman in the𒀰 last couple of years.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
What a start for Krunal Pandya!
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Dinesh Karthik last two innings for India in T20Is
29* in 8 balls (2f, 3s) v Bangladesh at Colombo 18 March 2018
3༺1* in 34 balls 𒉰(3f, 1s) v W Indies at Kolkata 4 Nov 2018— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
Krunal Pandya's maiden IPL wicket was Dinesh Karthik. Pollard was playing alongside him.
Krunal Pandya's maiden T20I wicket is Pollard. Dinesh Karthik was playing alongside him.
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket)
A dream India debut for Krunal Pandya!
15 for 1 in 4 overs with ball
21* off 9 with bat— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath)
Krunal Pandya completes fine debut with crucial knock following 🎃a fine spell. Taut matchꦕ though! What a pitt West Indies without Russell, Narine and Gayle
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
//twitter.com/SaiyamRo45/status/🧸1059125990616555521
Extremely impres🌃sed with the calmness of Krunal Pandya. It has only been one game but he gives the impression he is ready.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
//twitter.com🐠/benstokeꦚs38/status/1059108345599033344
Most wins in first ten T20Is as captain:
9 Rohit Sharma
8 Shoaib Malik/ M Clarke/ Asghar Afghan/ Sarfraz Ahmed
That's something…— panku (@pankukiddo)
//twitter.com/tinobest/status/1059107267805622273
Kuldeep Yadav won the man of the match a♏ward for his mag𓃲ical spell of 4-0-13-3
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
