IND vs WI 1st T20: West Indies Secure Thrilling 4-Run Victory Against India

The West Indies delivered a sensational bowling performance in the death overs to snatch a nail-biting four-run victory against India in the first T20I of the five-match series. Romario Sheperd, Jason Holder, and Obed McCoy displayed brilliant bowling spells that left the Indian batsmen struggling to chase down a target of 150 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, India’s bowlers put up an impressive show to restrict the West Indies to 149/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Rovman Powell top-scored for the hosts with a fluent 48 off 32 deliveries, and Nicholas Pooran’s fine knock of 41 runs in 34 balls contributed significantly to the total. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and captain Hardik Pandya scalped one wicket apiece.

In response, India’s chase got off to a shaky start when opener Shubman Gill was dismissed for just three runs in the second over, thanks to a clever delivery by Akael Hosein. Suryakumar Yadav and debutant Tilak Varma tried to stabilize the innings, but regular wickets put India under pressure.

Tilak Varma’s entertaining knock of 39 runs in 22 balls, supported by Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson, gave India some hope. However, the West Indies bowlers struck back in the crucial 16th over, with Jason Holder picking up Pandya’s wicket and a runout accounting for Samson. The visitors were left needing 37 runs in the final four overs.

Axar Patel showed some resistance with a quick cameo, hitting a crucial six in the 18th over. However, the West Indies bowlers maintained their composure, and Axar’s dismissal in the same over shifted the momentum back in favor of the hosts.

With six runs needed off the final ball, Arshdeep Singh tried his best but could only manage a boundary. As a result, India fell just short of the target, finishing at 145/9 in their 20 overs.

The West Indies bowlers were the stars of the show, with Jason Holder, Obed McCoy, and Romario Sheperd each picking up two wickets to rattle the Indian batting lineup. Akael Hosein also contributed with a crucial wicket.

WI’s superb bowling display secured them a 1-0 lead in the T20I series, setting up an exciting contest for the remaining matches. The second T20I is scheduled to take place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Sunday.

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