Saini Sizzles On Debut As India Draws First Blood In T20I Series

After restricting the Caribbean side to 95, the Men in Blue make heavy weather of the small target before scampering home in the 18th over

INDIA IN WI

Debutant pacer Navdeep Saini claimed three wickets in an impressive spell as India restricted the West Indies to a paltry 95 for nine and in reply, kept losing wickets at regular intervals before crossing the finish line in the 18th over, in the first T20I here on Saturday.

After losing Shikhar Dhawan cheaply, Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli added 28 before the vice-captain fell to Sunil Narine. Rishabh Pant was out off the next delivery, going for a big hit.

However, Kohli (19), Manish Pandey (19) and Krunal Pandey (12) chipped in before Ravindra Jadeja (10 not out) Washington Sundar (eight not out) took the team home. Washington finished the match in style with a six off Paul.

Bowlers to the fore

Opting to field, all the six Indian bowlers got at least a wicket, with Saini returning figures of three for 17 on his debut. India was also helped by the reckless approach of the West Indies batsmen.

There was no substantial partnership in the West Indies innings, the highest being 34 between captain Carlos Brathwaite (nine) and top-scorer Kieron Pollard (49) for the sixth wicket. Nicholas Pooran (20) was the only other West Indian to touch double digits.

Miserable start