 "How adorable! Animal Planet wins hearts with live tweets of India vs West Indies World T20 semi-final")
On Thursday, when a billion eyes were tuned into the India vs West Indies ICC World T20 semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, social media chatter was incredidbly high as usual. There were countless Twitter accounts tweeting live updates, reactions – some unique, some run-of-the mill. And Animal Planet India found a way to stand out. The Twitter account of the wildlife channel live-tweeted the entire match with adorable animal gifs and photos. The account got us in the right mood as we all looked forward (and prayed) for a cracker of a match at the Wankhede.
Everyone in the morning today - "Please God, just make India win today. Please!!!" pic.twitter.com/yFXf4O8c1f
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
These cuties are as excited as all of us to watch #IndvsWI.
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
Watch it with them as they do the live commentary <3 pic.twitter.com/lD1mfmF4mi
During the match, they expressed the joy and excitement that spectators all felt watching the impressive innings by Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and of course, Virat Kohli, with animated dogs, cats, monkeys and an aww-inducing panda. Mumbai boys Rohit (43) and Rahane (40) provided India its best start in the tournament by putting on 62 runs off 44 balls.
Mumbai boys @ajinkyarahane88 and @ImRo45 killing it. YAAAAY! #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/zilcndfAOn
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
Rohit departed after Samuel Badree trapped him plumb in front of the wicket. But, the fall of his wicket led to the introduction of India’s Superman - Virat Kohli!
Well played @ImRo45. It is time for @imVkohli to take over from here \m/ pic.twitter.com/sSwcPoAcOF
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAnd boy, did Kohli live up to the hype. He scored an unbeaten 89 off 47 balls — his third unbeaten half century in the tournament — steering India to 192/2.
Now that was a smooth one by @imVkohli. Real smooth. #IndVsWI 👍 pic.twitter.com/gaNw6l1c8D
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
In the second innings, Chris Gayle’s wicket blessed us with a happy, dancing panda. Gayle was dismissed in the second over by Jasprit Bumrah, to the relief of Indian fans all over.
TAKE THAT, GAYLE HAHAHAAHA #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/oTpVAkwVd1
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
But the Lendl Simmons-Johnson Charles show had us all at the edge of our seats, just like these three adorable kittens. Simmons hit an unbeaten 82 off 51 balls, and along with Charles (52), he took up the charge in a disciplined run-chase.
Six :( pic.twitter.com/VnXNcb9cdU
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
Simmons shared a splendid partnership of 80 off just 39 balls with Andre Russell, who remained unbeaten on 43. West Indies recorded a convincing seven-wicket win to book their tickets to Kolkata. In the end, India may have lost the match but they still have our hearts.
We might have lost today but you still have our hearts. Well played ❤ #IndvsWI #WT20 pic.twitter.com/hCmLrCSZJC
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
P.S. Here’s some bonus Kohli love.
Kohli 😘 pic.twitter.com/jQYvRzIuDM
— Animal Planet India (@AnimalPlanetIn) March 31, 2016
Kudos to the people running the Animal Planet India account for providing commentary that was just as entertaining and memorable as the match!
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