India vs West Indies, Highlights, 1st T20I at Hyderabad: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul help hosts take 1-0 lead in series

Most Man of the Match awards in T20Is:

12 – VIRAT KOHLI
12 – Mohammad Nabi
11 – Shahid Afridi

India captain and Man of the Match Virat Kohli: “To young batsmen watching, don’t follow the first half of my innings. I was batting poorly that time. I didn’t want to put KL under pressure but I couldn’t get going. Luckily got that one over from Holder, and then I began to analyse why I’m going wrong. Realised I’m not a slogger but a timer instead, and then changed my playing style. I’m not someone who wants to entertain by hitting in the air. The aim is not to play slam-bang cricket. One of Rohit or I have to play long in this team. That’s the role I play in every team I play in. Basic funda is that I don’t want to change my game too much for T20Is. I’m an all-format player. I just want to score runs every game. There are a lot of distractions when you’re chasing a big total. Like the scoreboard. But after 4-5 dot balls, the game puts you in a zone where you have no option but to focus on the game again. Williams had given me the notebook when he dismissed me in Jamaica, so I remembered it from there. We gave each other a high-five later. Play hard but respect the opponent.”

Man of the Match

Man of the match, not surprsingly, is Virat Kohli for his 94 runs from 50 balls. Six fours and six sixes to finish with a strike rate of 188.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard: “Batters did a good effort. You’d take 208 ten out of ten times. We lost due to the extras column. Nearly 2 and a half overs of extra deliveries. Yes, it was a batting wicket, but if we executed our plans better, it could’ve been a different story. There are only two areas where we lost the game in. Usually we tend to focus on negatives, but a lot of positives to takeaway today. King and Hetmyer showed great intent. Fielders did well. In the end, we need to improve, and we will win if we learn to tick more boxes. Can’t fault the effort of the guys.”

Highest scores for Virat Kohli in T20Is:

94* v West Indies, Hyderabad, 2019*
90* v Australia, Adelaide, 2016
89* v West Indies, Mumbai, 2016

Virat Kohli innings today:

First 34 balls : 44 runs (SR – 129.41)

Next 16 balls : 50 runs (SR – 312.50)

He was targetted by the opposition bowlers, he struggled with timing upfront, he was losing partners at the other end — yet he didn’t throw it away and finished the game for his team with an over to spare. That’s Virat Kohli for you. This innings has been a masterclass. It is nothing but Kohli’s excellence, which has made the between the two teams tonight.

KL Rahul: “Everyone likes me when I score runs. In T20Is, I honestly don’t plan my innings according to strike-rate, especially batting second. Depends more on the target. First few balls I’d still like to make use of the wicket. Important to lay a solid foundation as an opener, because there are power hitters in the back end. Want to do better in the next couple of games. Playing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy helped a lot. Doesn’t matter how many hours you spend in the nets. Winning games gives me the most confidence. Did that with Karnataka, happy to do it with India. Good that I can carry my confidence across tournaments. Tried to keep the game simple.”

Worst bowling figures for West Indies in T20Is:

0/60 – Kesrick Williams v India, Hyderabad, 2019*
2/56 – Nikita Miller v Australia, Sydney, 2010
0/56 – Carlos Brathwaite v India, Lucknow, 2018
0/56 – Oshane Thomas v Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2018

Kohli’s innings progression:

1-10 Balls – 7 runs
11-20 Balls – 13 runs
21-30 Balls – 19 runs
31-40 Balls- 28 runs
41-50 Balls – 27 runs

Highest targets successfully chased by India in T20Is:

208 v West Indies, Hyderabad, 2019*
207 v Sri Lanka, Mohali, 2009
202 v Australia, Rajkot, 2013

INDIA WIN! Fittingly, Virat Kohli gets the winning runs and gets there with a six! He finishes with 94 runs from 50 balls. Almost a replica of the previous shot with the same output. Heroic celebrations and India win by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare!

Kesrick Williams reintroduced into the attack and after going for 2 on the first ball, he is smacked for a six. India go past the 200-run mark. Outside off, opens the face of the bat and lofts it well into the crowd.

OUT! 

Kieron Pollard finally has something to show from this laboured over. But what an absolutely amazing catch from the Windies big man! Stunning catch on the follow through and what about that for a reaction. Folds his hands, looks at Kohli, looks at the sky and points his finger. Meanwhile, Iyer walks back after contributing just 4 runs

Most 75-plus knocks in international cricket:

168 – Sachin Tendulkar 
112 – VIRAT KOHLI*
112 – Ricky Ponting
111 – Jacques Kallis

Most 75-plus scores in T20Is:

10 – Rohit Sharma
8 – Chris Gayle
7 – VIRAT KOHLI*
6 – Martin Guptill, Mahela Jayawardene

West Indies review

Kieron Pollard with a needless review for leg before on Shreyas Iyer. Easily missing leg and it is confirmed on the review. Needless, absolutely needless!

Kieron Pollard seemingly unsure of what to bowl to Kohli. Stopped in his tracks once, then a wide and this time on to the pads. Whip shot by Kohli and this has gone the distance. Kohli staring back at Pollard and clearly the bat wins over the ball.

After 17 overs,India 182/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 70 , Shreyas Iyer 3)

Sheldon Cottrell putting the brakes on the flow of boundaries and concedes just the five runs from the over – one of which was an overthrow. More importantly, he removes Rishabh Pant with a slower one and brings Shreyas Iyer out in the middle.

Having bowled and fielded so well in the first half of this Indian innings, it seems West Indies have now let the game slip away from them. In the last few overs, their bowlers have lacked discipline and bowled to the strength of the batters. The asking rate is very much manageable now and most importantly Virat kohli is still out there.

OUT!

Change of pace from Sheldon Cottrell and he gets rid of Rishabh Pant. Roll of the fingers and Pant fails to pick that up. Goes for the slog but gets a top edge and it falls comfortably to Holder at long off. Poor shot but has Pant done enough? He walks after scoring 18 from 9 balls.

After 16 overs,India 177/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 68 , Rishabh Pant (W) 18)

India in completely control and it is their game to lose from now on. But given how well Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are connecting and the way Windies are folding, it looks unlikely. 23 runs from the Kesrick Williams over with two sixes and a four. The over being extended for an overstepping for good measure. India need 31 from 24

Kesrick Williams has lost control of his bowling and Rishabh Pant reaps the benefit this time. Pitched up, well outside off stump and Pant gets down on one pad to smack it straight down the ground for a six!

Strong bottom hand by Virat Kohli and this time the ball clears the boundary. Kesrick Williams looks to be under pressure with Virat Kohli in perfectly good touch. Absurd power with what looked like just a touch of the bat.

Virat Kohli getting into fine touch late into the game and suddenly India looking like cruising towards the target. Middled and the bowler has to duck for cover!

For the major part of his innings, Virat Kohli has struggled with his timing tonight. Perhaps, from the beginning he has tried to hit the ball a bit too hard before getting a feel of the surface. But now he seems to have grown in confidence. At this point after the departure of KL Rahul, India’s fortunes in this game depends heavily on the skipper.

After 15 overs,India 154/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 57 , Rishabh Pant (W) 7)

Fantastic over for India! Jason Holder going for a six and four from the opening two deliveries. Not helping himself with an overstepping on the third. In total, India add 15 runs from the 15th over there. Virat Kohli also bringing up his boundary in the over

Edge and four! Third man is inside and the edge helps the ball run along to the boundary. Short delivery from Holder, Kohli went for the late cut but gets a thick edge instead and collects four more

Virat Kohli brings up his fifty with a six! A gorgeous lofted shot from a slower ball. All timing there! It sails over long-off and it brings up the skipper’s 50 from 35 balls

Most 50-plus scores in T20Is:

23 – VIRAT KOHLI*
22 – Rohit Sharma
17 – Martin Guptill

Most century stands at home in T20Is:

10 – South Africa
9 – India*
9 – New Zealand
8 – England

After 14 overs,India 139/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 44 , Rishabh Pant (W) 6)

Eventful over from Pierre. KL Rahul smacked a six before falling to the spinner. Rishabh Pant joined Virat Kohli in the middle and ended the over with a six. 16 runs from the over.

New man in Rishabh Pant gets into the thick of things from the word go. Pierre with a full delivery, Pant goes for the slog and gets the contact despite being off balance. It sails over long on.

OUT!

On the very next ball, KL Rahul falls to Pierre and is caught by Pollard at long off. Juicy full delivery for Rahul to go after but all he manages is a lofted drive that is hit straight at the fielder. KL Rahul walks after scoring 62 runs from 40 balls.

No stopping KL Rahul! Pierre into the attack and he’s been smacked for a big, big 101m hit. Length delivery to KL Rahul and he moved across to slog-sweep and thanks to sweet contact, it goes over deep mid-wicket.

After 13 overs,India 123/1 ( KL Rahul 56 , Virat Kohli (C) 40)

Interesting over from Kesrick Williams where he goes for 13 runs. KL Rahul closing the over out with a lovely pull which sent the ball into the stand. But there was a near coming together between the bowler and Kohli which once again angered the skipper. Umpire needed to come on and calm the Indian captain.

KL Rahul with his third six of the inning. Still a bit of shake of the head from him as he walks over to Virat Kohli. Probably the ball not coming on to the bat as it did in the first inning. This one has been sent well into the crowd.

FIFTY!

KL Rahul brings up his fifty from 37 balls. Not the cleanest contact with the ball and Rahul knows that immediately. Shake of the head as he runs across to the other side.

FIRST AUTO NO BALL!

Third umpire adjudged Kesrick Williams to have overstepped and the third umpire Anil Chaudhary calls it a no ball. A first in this series and for an India match.

At the halfway mark of this run-chase, West Indies are ahead in this fixture. Yes, India have a partnership going but the asking is rate close to two runs per ball and still both the batsmen seem not ready to take the aerial route often. An exciting climax is on the cards tonight.

After 12 overs,India 110/1 ( KL Rahul 48 , Virat Kohli (C) 37)

A much, much better over for India and Virat Kohli. Jason Holder almost gifting the opportunity to India with poor line and errant job. Bouncer gets smacked for a six and then a boundary from a fulltoss. 14 runs from the over and that should reduce the pressure ever so slightly.

After the six a four for India and Virat Kohli. Jason Holder erring with his bowling now. A fulltoss into Kohli and it is pulled for a boundary. Kohli is convinced that it was over the waist and it appears to be the case. Umpire, however, thinks there was nothing wrong with it.

Jason Holder goes for a bouncer and tries to catch Virat Kohli off guard. But there is a touch flick of the finger at the end and the slower one takes a top edge and flies into the crowd.

After 11 overs,India 96/1 ( KL Rahul 47 , Virat Kohli (C) 26)

Another fairly insufficient over for India. Seven runs from the Hayden Walsh over and he almost had Virat Kohli’s wicket to show for his effort. Instead, Kohli collected a lucky boundary. Safe to say, Kohli isn’t connecting well on the return and is trying his best to improvise and accelerate the innings.

Lucky boundary for Virat Kohli and Hayden Walsh almost gets the biggest wicket in international cricket. Kohli tries to go for too much power but not enough timing and the inside edge beats everyone to go on for a four.

After 10 overs,India 89/1 ( KL Rahul 46 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

At the halfway mark, India are 89/1 and need 119 runs from 60 balls. 8 runs from the Kesrick Williams with a single boundary to show from it. India really need to up the ante if they are to chase this down…

KL Rahul with another cut shot to beat the backward point fielder. No room? No problem says KL Rahul! Kesrick Williams the bowler and his delivery is introduced to the boundary rope rather quickly.

After 9 overs,India 81/1 ( KL Rahul 40 , Virat Kohli (C) 18)

Just five runs from the ninth over of the India chase with Jason Holder returning into the attack. Putting the brakes on the big hitting and free flow of runs that the spinners allowed. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul also bringing up their 50 run stand in the over.

After 8 overs,India 76/1 ( KL Rahul 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

14 runs from the Pierre over. Poor line from him on the fourth ball of the over and India happily collect five wide. Virat Kohli then smacks one towards the deep extra cover boundary to add pressure on the Windies spinner.

Virat Kohli now getting into the groove of things. Picks the spot with no fielder and finds it with zero ease. It finds the deep extra cover boundary

After 7 overs,India 62/1 ( KL Rahul 36 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

12 runs from first over by Hayden Walsh. Two boundaries for both batsmen in that over. Virat Kohli collecting one with a smack straight down the ground and then KL Rahul with effortless open-the-blade shot. Lovely batting!

Sheldon Cottrell was undoubtedly West Indies’ best bowler in the last 50-over World Cup. He swung the new ball and bowled with a lot of pace and fire. He is a nippy bowler who is deceptively quick off the surface. Also, the left-armer can bring the ball back in for a right-handed batsman. Hence, against someone like Virat Kohli, Cottrell can be a handy option up-front.

KL Rahul picks up his fourth boundary of the inning. Walsh tries to get the ball to spin away from the right hander but KL Rahul gets low and opens the face of the bat to steer the ball to third man for four more!

Hayden Walsh comes into the attack for West Indies. Kohli has had to be patient thus far and he lets loose this time. Plenty of loop, Kohli waits and thumps it straight down the ground. Desperate attempt to stop it from Walsh but that’s very well hit.

Fastest to 1,000 T20I runs: (Innings)

26 – Babar Azam
27 – Virat Kohli
29 – Aaron Finch, KL RAHUL*

After 6 overs,India 50/1 ( KL Rahul 31 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

A rapidfire over from Pierre. Nine runs from the over with KL Rahul’s six, off the second ball, the highlight. India bring up their 50

India late to the sixes game but they’re collecting quickly now. KL Rahul once again. Pierre the bowler and KL Rahul backs into the on side and slog sweeps it over deep square leg.

After 5 overs,India 41/1 ( KL Rahul 24 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Sheldon Cottrell had a great over, conceding just two runs, up until the final ball. Went for a bouncer and the top edge from KL Rahul see India collect their first six of the inning. Bit of afters with Kohli mumbling something to the bowler. Things getting heated in the middle!

First six of the Indian inning comes from KL Rahul’s bat. Sheldon Cottrell with one bouncer too many. Goes for one to close the over out and KL Rahul gets enough bat on it to send it past the boundary rope towards fine leg region.

In international T20s India have always been a conservative batting side. Often they tend to underuse their batting prowess and depth. But now, with the game changing rapidly, they have to reconsider their approach. And from this point of view, a free-flowing player like KL Rahul opening the innings is perhaps the ideal way forward for this team.

After 4 overs,India 33/1 ( KL Rahul 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

After the expensive over by Cottrell, West Indies bring in spin in the form Pierre and there is immediate impact. He gets rid of Rohit Sharma who departs after scoring 8 runs. Five runs from the over as Virat Kohli joins KL Rahul in the middle.

Rohit Sharma will finish with a single boundary then. Comes down the track to Khary Pierre and picks up the delivery on the middle stump, goes for the whip but only finds Hetmyer at cow corner. Simple catch and Windies strike!

After 3 overs,India 28/0 ( Rohit Sharma 8 , KL Rahul 16)

Fiery over from Sheldon Cottrell. Pings Rohit Sharma on the glove and then beats everyone for four byes. The over finishes with Rohit opening the blade slightly to collect his first boundary of the night.

There is width on offer by Cottrell and Rohit Sharma helps the ball along to the boundary rope. Opens the blade slightly to beat the keeper and the ball goes running across to the third man region.

WOWZA! Sheldon Cottrell with a fiery bouncer and this has gone past everyone. Rohit Sharma goes for the pull but misses and it beats the keeper as well. Four byes!

Rohit Sharma with a blow to the right hand. Physio comes out to tend to the India vice captain. 137.7 kmph on the gun and Rohit is struck by the off-balance pull. Rohit doesn’t get the desired connection.

After 2 overs,India 17/0 ( Rohit Sharma 3 , KL Rahul 14)

KL Rahul gets into the thick of things with three boundaries in the over from Jason Holder. The Windies bowler looking near helpless as the third ran off to the tope. Little wrong by Holder on the deliveries but KL Rahul just oozing class.

Make that three boundaries in the over and Jason Holder looks helpless! This one goes beats the fielder and goes running to backward point. Boundaries piling up!

Lucky boundary for KL Rahul now! Gets the bottom edge with the ball coming into him. No one on the boundary to cut it off.

Jason Holder comes into the attack and is immediately smacked for a boundary. Outside off stump and KL Rahul stays low to send it behind deep backward point for a four

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul get India underway with four runs from the opening over. Getting a feel of the ball for about now with Sheldon Cottrell bowling a good line and length as well.

The highest target successfully chased down by India in T20Is is 207. They did it against Sri Lanka at Mohali in 2009.

Strong finish for West Indies. Even with the dew in their favour, India have to bat out of their skins to chase down 208 at this venue. In this first half of the game, the Indian bowlers have unnecessarily pitched bowled short seldomly and the Windies batsmen used their muscle power to punish those deliveries to the fence. Lewis set tone early and barring Simmons everyone had contributed to this massive total. Now it’s time for Indian batsmen to return the favour.

Highest totals against India in India in T20Is:

215 – SL, Nagpur, 2009
207 – WI, Hyderabad, 2019*
206 – SL, Mohali, 2009

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to open for India. The hosts are chasing 208 runs and if they do so successfully, it would be the highest target chased by India in T20Is. Sheldon Cottrell gets the ball rolling.

Worst bowling figures for India in T20Is:

64/0 – Yuzvendra Chahal v SA, Centurion, 2018 

57/0 – Joginder Sharma v Eng, Durban, 2007

56/1 – Deepak Chahar v WI, Hyderabad, 2019*

After 20 overs,West Indies 207/5 ( Jason Holder 24 , Denesh Ramdin (W) 11)

Holder caps off this West Indian effort with a fine flourish in the end. A couple of boundaries off his bat before both batsmen knocked the ball around for some quick singles and the West Indies will laud themselves for getting a competitive total here.

SIX!

Holder is going all guns blazing in the final over here. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is using all the variations he has but Holder has managed to collect a couple of boundaries down long-on, the ball escaping the reach of Indian captain Virat Kohli.

After 19 overs,West Indies 190/5 ( Jason Holder 11 , Denesh Ramdin (W) 7)

Chahar has leaked runs tonight and while it looked like he might finish his spell with a tidy over, Holder collected a six, spoiling the effort. Chahar finishes the night with figures of 1/56

SIX! 

A length delivery, straight into the wickets from Chahar and Jason Holder opens his arms, depositing the ball into the stands for a humongous six.

Most wickets for India in T20Is:

52 – Ravichandran Ashwin

52 – Yuzvendra Chahal*

51 – Jasprit Bumrah

After 18 overs,West Indies 178/5 ( Jason Holder 1 , Denesh Ramdin (W) 5)

Chahal single-handedly pulls the Windies back a bit with a brace of wickets, all in one over. India will breathe a bit easy here.

FOUR!

Denesh Ramdin granted a four as Deepak Chahar commits a misfield in what has been a sorry day for India in the field.

OUT!

Chahal working his magic here. He tosses it up, inviting the drive from Pollard who misses the ball in flight as it rattles the top of his leg stump. The captain departs for a breezy 37 of 19 deliveries.

OUT!

Another slog-sweep from a down-on-his-knees Shimron Hetmyer but he fails to get the elevation this time. Rohit Sharma takes an easy catch at deep backward point and Chahal gets the breakthrough. Hetmyer goes for a well-made 56 of 41 deliveries.

After 17 overs, West Indies 172/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 56, Kieron Pollard (C) 37)

Sundar spills one again and Kohli doesn’t know what to do with him. Hetmyer came down the wicket and played a lofty drive. Sundar, running at full pace but fails to hold on. Rohit Sharma backs him up to save the boundary. Later Sharma drops a couple and Pollard is looking menacing here.

SIX!

Pollard is in the mood here. He goes deep in the crease and hits over mid-wicket. He would have holed out to Rohit Sharma but the ball bounced off his hands, over the fence for a six. Next ball, Pollard plays another, around-the-shoulder pull shot and the ball sails over the fence. Sensational stuff this from the burly Pollard.

After 16 overs, West Indies 155/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 54, Kieron Pollard (C) 22)

The pressure showing on the fielders here. Hetmyer looks to paddle the ball down fine leg but gets the top-edge of the bat. The ball would have landed in Washington Sundar’s hands at short fine leg but he seems to have lost the ball in the arc-lights. To top it all, when he realizes his folly, he slips. The ball falls way ahead of him. Later in the over, Hetmyer brings up his maiden T20I fifty.

FIFTY!

Maiden fifty for Hetmyer. He seems to be in the mood to cap off a year of inconsistent performances with a flourish here in India.

SIX!

Hetmyer makes the most of the life-line that he was given earlier in the over. Smashes the ball down long-on for a flat six.

After 15 overs, West Indies 144/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 44, Kieron Pollard (C) 21)

A good over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The hint of late swing and bowling in the right areas has him arresting the steep run rate for six balls at least. The batsmen look a tentative against him, not coming down the wicket but preferring to block it for ones. Just the three runs from the over.

After 14 overs, West Indies 141/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 42, Kieron Pollard (C) 20)

Despite the huge six, a tidy over from Chahal given the context of the match with the batsmen managing just eight runs between them.

SIX!

Chahal was showing off his smarts in this over, beating Pollard in the flight. He then goes fuller and Pollard merely lofts the ball over long-on for six.

A much-improved show behind the stumps by Rishabh Pant. Significant improvement in his glove-work from the last series against Bangladesh. After all the criticism he has faced of late, the youngster is showing a lot of character here.

After 13 overs, West Indies 132/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 41, Kieron Pollard (C) 13)

West Indies are making light work of the Indian spinners here. Everyone’s looking a bit too wary on the field. We are in for a big score.

SIX!

A massive massive heave from Hetmyer. The batsman, down on his knees, plays the slog-sweep yet again and what a sound made by that shot. The ball sails over the fence.

Kieron Pollard’s SR of 89.74 in T20Is in India – the lowest for him in a country in T20Is.

After 12 overs,West Indies 120/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 30 , Kieron Pollard (C) 12)

Kohli experiments with Shivam Dube’s wily medium pace, bringing him to replace Chahal. Safe to say Dube’s a dangerous bet against the big-hitting West Indians. Pollard gathers 10 runs off two balls and the over fetches a healthy 12 for the visitors.

SIX!

Again, too short and too slow to trouble Pollard. He swivels in his crease, plays the pull shot, sending the ball over the square-leg fence.

FOUR!

Easy easy stuff for Pollard. A short of length delivery from Dube straying outside off. Pollard has all the time to move to the off and playing a half-pull shot, splitting the gap between long-on and deep-midwicket for four.

After 11 overs, West Indies 107/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 28, Kieron Pollard (C) 1)

A tidy over from Jadeja. Just the six runs, plus the important breakthrough, the wicket of Brandon King.

FOUR!

The ball spinning into Hetmyer but the shorter length means that he has plenty of time to shift back and play the pull shot. Four down mid-wicket.

OUT!

Brandon King dances down the wicket, looking to smash the ball with all his might. Jadeja manages to get the ball to spin away from the batsman, under his bat. Pant executes an easy stumping. King out for a well-made 31 of 23 deliveries. Captain Kieron Pollard walks out to bat.

After 10 overs,West Indies 101/2 ( Brandon King 31 , Shimron Hetmyer 23)

This partnership is looking good here for the Windies, ominous for the Indians who may be staring at a 200 plus total.

SIX!

Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack and is welcomed with a flourish of the bat from Hetmyer on the second delivery itself. The West Indian gets down on his knees, catching the ball where it is pitching and swatting it over long-off for a huge six.

After 9 overs,West Indies 91/2 ( Brandon King 30 , Shimron Hetmyer 14)

The spinners continue to fire down the quicker ones but they are still not able to get a handle on the run-rate. The batsmen are sure to strike one boundary every over. Run-rate still over 10.

SIX!

Hetmyer gets in on the act now. Goes back in his crease while facing Jadeja, and pulls one off the backfoot, swatting the ball down the wicket for a six. Brute power on display from both batsmen here.

After 8 overs, West Indies 82/2 ( Brandon King 29, Shimron Hetmyer 6)

Brandon King now coming into his own. The top-scorer in the CPL is showing his batting chops here, two fours in the over and Windies continue to advance at a good run-rate.

FOUR!

Brandon King comes down the wicket, stops for a bit in his tracks as he reads the length of the ball, before smashing the ball past covers for a four. Washington Sundar is dismayed. He then pulls one, playing it down long-on where KL Rahul dives full-length but the ball escapes his reach, going for four.

Evin Lewis was trying to emulate what David Warner often does for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL at this ground. But thankfully for India, Washington Sundar had the last laugh. Considering the fact that Chahal and Jadeja will be used shortly, Lewis’ wicket is a huge sigh of relief for Kohli at this juncture. However, now he has another left-hander to deal with – Shimron Hetmyer.

Shimron Hetmyer against India in T20Is:

10, 15, 26, 0, 6*, 1

After 7 overs, West Indies 70/2 ( Brandon King 20, Shimron Hetmyer 4)

Jadeja comes into the attack and it’s spin from both ends as India look to put a cap on the mounting run-rate for the Windies here. Shimron Hetmyer is at the crease, nudging the ball in the gap for ones and twos.

After 6 overs,West Indies 66/2 ( Brandon King 19 , Shimron Hetmyer 2)

India get a crucial breakthrough but the Windies still manage to get nine runs from the over. It’s not enough to take wickets here for India. Containing these big-hitters is an equally important task.

OUT!

Crucial breakthrough this for India. Slower delivery from Sundar coming around the wicket and Lewis, looking to paddle it down fine leg, misreads the pace and the ball raps him below the knee roll on the front pad. Adjudged lbw. Lewis is out for a quickfire 40 of 17 deliveries.

SIX!

Lewis comes down on his knees and unleashes a blow over extra cover for sort of an inside out six. Tremendous stuff this from him.

After 5 overs, West Indies 57/1 ( Evin Lewis 34, Brandon King 18)

Kumar is now bulling fuller, going between the good length and the full pitched delivery but the occasional loose delivery is enough for the Windies to collect runs. Another huge over for the Windies accounting for 11 runs.

FOUR!

Kumar strays on the pads and Lewis has no problem in guiding the ball down fine leg for four

SIX!

Lewis flashes hard at the full-length delivery outside off. Manages to get bat on the ball, slicing it over deep point for a maximum.

Brandon King was the highest run-getter in CPL – 2019.

Innings – 12, Runs – 496, Average – 55.11, SR – 148.95, 50s/100s – 3/1

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 36 wickets at RGIS, Hyderabad in T20 cricket – the most by any bowler.

After 4 overs,West Indies 46/1 ( Evin Lewis 24 , Brandon King 17)

The Windies aren’t showing signs of letting up after that first wicket. Far from it in fact. King and Lewis are repeatedly silencing the continuous buzz in the crowd. They are going at over 11 runs per over here and Kumar and Chahar are failing to contain them.

SIX!

An attempted bouncer from Chahar but the pace doesn’t complement the effort. King waits back in his crease and plays something of the sort of a hook or pull shot over mid-wicket for another six. Chahar is being taken to the cleaners here.

Swing straightway for Chahar with the new ball. He is becoming a master of extracting that rare lateral movement with the white Kookaburra. In slightly helpful conditions, he along with Bhuvi can really test the skills of top-order batters, even in the T20 format.

FOUR!

Lewis now waits back in his crease, letting the ball arrive on his bat where he cuts at it hard, past point for four.

SIX! 

Evin Lewis swivels in the crease beautifully, pulling the ball over fine leg for a huge six.

After 3 overs, West Indies 27/1 ( Evin Lewis 13, Brandon King 10)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar too shows his adeptness at swinging the ball. The batsman are hesitant in driving against him, merely padding the ball for singles. A slower ball pretty soon from Kumar and King reads it well, shifting in his crease and playing a hoick off the dipping ball, scrambling for a couple as the ball goes to the mid-wicket area.

Most wickets in T20 cricket in 2019 by pacers:

53 – Deepak Chahar*

53 – Harry Gurney 

50 – Khaleel Ahmed 

47 – Wahab Riaz

After 2 overs, West Indies 21/1 ( Evin Lewis 12, Brandon King 6)

A good first over from Chahar. Healthy swing in the air for him which means that the batsman can’t take a chance even as Chahar bowls at a fullish length. Brandon King walks out to the middle after Simmons’ dismissal. He gets an edge down point for a single. Lewis drives down the wicket for another before King strikes a boundary. The Windies will aim to keep things going at this run rate.

FOUR! 

Brandon King opens his arms, drives at a length delivery for four.

It will be interesting to notice how Kohli uses Deepak Chahar tonight. At the start of the season, in the series against South Africa he utilised the medium pacer primarily in the powerplay. But as a skipper Rohit found out Chahar’s death bowling skills against Bangladesh. Now the question is, will Kohli take a leaf out of Rohit’s book?

OUT! 

Deepak Chahar works his magic again with some late swing. Lendl Simmons is fidgety in the crease, pushes at the ball but tamely and the ball takes the edge of the bat. Rohit Sharma takes an easy catch in the slips.

Evin Lewis against India in T20Is:

100, 7, 125*, 0, 0, 10

After 1 overs,West Indies 13/0 ( Lendl Simmons 2 , Evin Lewis 11)

West Indies get 13 runs from their first over. Evin Lewis making easy work of Sundar’s short length, the ball sitting up perfectly for him. India’s plan to bowl first could backfire if these two get a good start in for their team.

SIX!

A huge pull off a similar length from Sundar. Six over square leg.

FOUR! 

Evin Lewis pulls one off his waist, past backward point for four. First runs for him

Washington Sundar bowls to Lendl Simmons. We are off here at Hyderabad.

MATCH READY💪🏻
Live action coming up shortly #TeamIndia #INDvWI @paytm pic.twitter.com/QTkXeDNrYc

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2019

In ICC T20I team rankings West Indies have now slipped to No. 10 following their recent series defeat against Afghanistan in Lucknow. They are the defending World Champions in this format and it is high time for the boys from the Caribbean to showcase their true potential in this series against the Indians. There are quite a few new faces in this team and prior to the IPL auction, this is perhaps the ideal platform for these youngsters to impress the scouts.

And here we are. The first T20I. Another dress rehearsal for the World T20. The players make way to the field. Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons to open the batting for the Windies. The players are out for the national anthems.

So, here we are, at the start of yet another T20I series and the dress rehearsal for next year’s World T20 continues for Virat Kohli’s men. The big boys back in the squad for the hosts and they will be eager to get out in the park. Especially, for someone like Bhuvi, these matches will be crucial for getting back in the grooves prior to that all-important tour of New Zealand. However, it is surprising to see Mohammed Shami missing out tonight. Considering the kind of form he is in at the moment, he should have been picked straightway. 

West Indies: 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Brandon King, 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Khary Pierre, 9 Kesrick Williams, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Hayden Walsh Jr

Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen not getting a game tonight for the Windies.

India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk) , 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Shami, Kuldeep, Sanju Samson and Manish Pandey not getting a game tonight.

West Indies’ win/loss record in T20Is in 2019: 1-8 

West Indies’ win/loss record against India in T20Is since 2018: 0-6

Oh! No one saw that coming. Virat Kohli has won the toss and he chose to bowl first. Some experimentation here, all in mind for the World T20 next year. Kohli explains that his side would like to avoid the dew later on. Fair point!

The pitch is an archetypical batting surface. Few cracks here and there but they won’t open up in a 20-overs a side encounter. The ball is expected to come on to the bat nicely. Guess that explains what the winner of the toss is likely to choose.

Kieron Pollard continues to captain the Windies after leading them against Afghanistan. In many ways, it seems like a short in the arm for his leadership as Pollard has had his differences with the West Indies Cricket Board in the past.

A couple of birthday boys likely on the field today for India. 

Birthday wishes for our 4 birthday boys - Happy Birthday @imjadeja @Jaspritbumrah93 @ShreyasIyer15 @karun126 #TeamIndia 😃🧁🎂 pic.twitter.com/WyTheRxoOY

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2019

For the West Indies, it’s the same squad which played against Afghanistan. Caribbean Premier League superstars Brandon King and Hayden Walsh will look to set the stage alight while proven big-hitters Kieron Pollard and Evin Lewis will look to guide the inexperienced bunch against strong opponents in India.

And the Rishabh Pant debate rages on. The noise will only grow louder around the Delhi lad’s performance, considering that Sanju Samson is in the squad, vying for the wicket-keeper’s slot. Pant has been receiving advice from all corners. Earlier in the day, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had some words of wisdom for Pant.

MUST WATCH: Hyderabad Diaries 😁😁

Unwinding with Hitman @ImRo45 as he talks everything other than cricket with @imkuldeep18 & @yuzi_chahal 🗣️📢 - by @RajalArora #TeamIndia #INDvWI

Full Video Link here 📽️👉👉 https://t.co/X78mXYnd5e pic.twitter.com/sHw0vo9ZVe

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 5, 2019

The series is important for two other reasons.

Firstly, we are barely a fortnight away from the IPL auctions and there’s plenty to prove for the players from both sides. 

Secondly, as part of an ICC trial, the third umpire will be calling front foot no balls this series. Read all about this development here .

India will celebrate the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was out due to an injury. Kumar last played international cricket during India’s tour of the Caribbean back in August and will be itching to make up for the lost yards. Mohammed Shami has also been included in the squad and will be playing a T20I after a gap of more than two years. His inclusion hints that India will be playing as close to their playing 11 for the World T20 as possible.

All set for match day like 👇👇#TeamIndia #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/bEOJRxPuMG

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2019

It will be a grave mistake for anyone to count this West Indies side out against a full-strength Indian side which will see Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar return to the field. The Windies have already spent a month in the country playing against Afghanistan and while they may have lost the T20 series 2-1, they did win the ODI series 3-0 and the young talent has shown signs of maturing. The visitors will also look to avenge their 3-0 series loss to India, back in August when the Men in Blue toured the Caribbean.

Hello and Welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the first T20I between India and the West Indies to be played at Hyderabad. The preparations for the World T20 are in full swing and with each series, India is getting closer to finalising the squad for the all-important mega event in Australia next year. Auditions continue though for the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Read the preview for the series by PN Vishnu here .