World T20, India vs West Indies as it happened: Simmons, Russell power Windies to a thrilling win

If you would like to vent (as a India fan) or celebrate (as a West Indies fan) — join us live on facebook https://www.facebook.com/firstpostin/

Kudos to Kohli for his bowling effort. Tried to win the game for #IND with the ball as well https://t.co/2iLVX5iiEp pic.twitter.com/Zokpm9Ve97

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

Here's the winning captain, @darrensammy88 - he's on his way to the #WT20 final! #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/iiMNR1X5ok

— ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2016

Darrren Sammy: I kept telling the boys they were 10 runs short. I was just praying we win the toss. We were inspired by the Under-19 boys, the ladies reached the final earlier. We still feel it’s us — the players, the coaching staff against the rest of the world.

MS Dhoni: Was a bad toss to lose, given the start time was 7. The dew set in just at the start of the second innings. Our spinners have a problem bowling with the dead ball. Disappointed with the no-balls but we made a game out of it, boys gave it all. It’s a demanding format.

Man of the match is Lendl Simmons — the man who is barely out of jet lag, being flown in as the replacement for Andre Fletcher.

IMO this has been the best @ICC World tournament .. Short,Sharp,Quality,Drama with incredible players on show ... Bloody love T20 #ICCWT20

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 31, 2016

This is where the match was decided, at the end of the day.

West Indies consumed 47 dot balls as against 26 by India, but they hit 20 fours and 11 sixes as against 17 and 4 by India.#IndvsWI #WT20

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 31, 2016

Probably what most India fans are feeling right now.

If you are an India fan and are trying to get over this defeat, don’t forget this was yet another tremendously entertaining fixture in the World T20!, featuring India.

For all the talk of West Indies decline, they could be proper powerhouses in the future, with the game shifting away from Test cricket

— Karthik Lakshmanan (@lk_karthik) March 31, 2016

SIX!  ANDRE RUSSELL SEALS THE WIN WITH A SIX! VIRAT KOHLI IS HUMAN AFTER ALL — WEST INDIES ARE THROUGH TO THE WORLD T20 FINAL!

Andre Russell breaks India’s hearts — throws his bat and the inside edge goes for four to square leg

One run from the first two balls. 7 from 4.

Virat Kohli with the ball — for the last over. Surely not! Surely not?

Brute force again — Russell seals this match? What a hit for four. 8 runs needed. 

After 19 overs,West Indies 185/3 ( Lendl Simmons 81 , Andre Russell 33)

SIX! Jadeja concedes just 2 runs from the first 4 balls but Russell hits a mighty six off the fifth ball! That went miles! Brute force

20 needed from 2. Will Jadeja wake up from his nightmare?!

What did Lendl Simmons have for breakfast today!!? Who did Lendl Simmons meet on his way to the ground?! After three dot balls to begin with, Simmons skies one to wide long on where JAdeja pulls one back from the line and Kohli completes a relay catch– But JADEJA had stepped on the rope! SIX! Then a four off the last ball, another edge that goes past third man,

After 18 overs, West Indies 173/3 ( Lendl Simmons 80 , Andre Russell 22)

After 17 overs,West Indies 161/3 ( Lendl Simmons 69 , Andre Russell 22)

Last roll of the dice for Dhoni. Nehra for his last over and then golden oldie concedes 10 — which is still less than the required rate. It would have been much better has Russell not powered a mishit comfortably over long-on. What power!

But amid all the carnage, What a spell from Nehra!

9.5/over match. Nehraji 4-0-24-1.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2016

After 16 overs,West Indies 151/3 ( Lendl Simmons 67 , Andre Russell 14)

The Mumbai Indians man has completely turned this around in Mumbai against India. Even Bumrah can’t save India at the death it seems. Simmons luck has now overflown out of Wankhede as a leading edge goes over third man for four. Then off the last ball, hits a six that sails over long off.

What every India fan is feeling right now.

Is #IND overstepping its welcome at the #WT20? 2 no-balls, 2 wickets gone begging #IndvsWI https://t.co/2iLVX5iiEp pic.twitter.com/lNBdiCaZgp

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

India’s effort on the field has been shoddy, to be perfectly honest. But Simmons won’t care a jot. He can do no wrong!

Beyond ridiculous luck for West Indies and Lendl Simmons now! Pandya’s nightmare becomes worse. He oversteps, and Simmons is caught. Yes, twice now for Simmons. Free hit is smoked for a six.

Insult, meet injury. (That over also featured the biggest six of the torunament that was called 99m — it went into the 3rd tier)

After 15 overs, West Indies 138/3 ( Lendl Simmons 56 , Andre Russell 12)

Kohli right now pic.twitter.com/5wHLOztqlk

— Local Tea Party (@localteaparty) March 31, 2016

After 14 overs, West Indies 120/3 ( Lendl Simmons 50 , Andre Russell 1)

Kohli just concedes four runs and picks up a wicket. Wow. Simmons reaches his 50 in the meantime

OUT! Can he part water? Can he walk on a lake? Can he turn lead to gold? It’s Virat Kohli who gives India the breakthrough. First ball of his spell and Johnson Charles skies one and is caught at long off. And he soaks it all in! What a man. 

That slo mo shot of Kohli celebrating his wickets with his coiffed hair flying on his suspiciously white forehead!!

— Zenia D'cunha (@ZENIADCUNHA) March 31, 2016

After 13 overs, West Indies 116/2 ( Johnson Charles 52 , Lendl Simmons 47)

This is now a nightmare of epic proportions for Jadeja — 13 runs from the over! The dew seems to have taken all the sting out of Jadeja’s fingers. Two fours from Simmons.

After 12 overs,West Indies 104/2 ( Johnson Charles 50 , Lendl Simmons 37)

Dhoni persists with Pandya and just 7 runs from that over, despite another poor ball — short again — that is slapped away by Charles. He brings up a 50!

12th over: With Charles stepping on the accelerator, 12 runs came from the 10th over, sending India’s COW to 38%. Simmons now getting into the act, and 13 runs were scored in the 11th over. India’s COW drops further to 36%. In the 12th over,

India manage to rein things back in, conceding 7 runs, their COW at 34%. West Indies favoured by 66%!

Last 4 overs… 46 runs. That’s where the match turned. #IndvsWI #WT20

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 31, 2016

After 11 overs, West Indies 97/2 ( Johnson Charles 46 , Lendl Simmons 35)

Jadeja back and he is struggling, and India are struggling. Jadeja is taken to the cleaners by Simmons. Flat and powerful over midwicket. Then a smoking square drive — it burns the carpet, says commentator — for four. 13 from that over. It’s going south for India at the wankhede!

Understandably so. West Indies are actually in the driver’s seat now.

Crowd has gone a bit restless with this partnership developing between Simmons and Charles. #WT20 #IndvWI

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

After 10 overs, West Indies 84/2 (Johnson Charles 45 , Lendl Simmons 23)

What hitting by Charles! Pandya is leaking runs. An over-pitched ball is edged to third-man for a six (just about!). Then another bad short ball is hit to backward square leg for 4.

After 9 overs, West Indies 72/2 ( Johnson Charles 34 , Lendl Simmons 23)

Ashwin’s poor form continues from the Australia match — where he just bowled two overs. First a huge six over midwicket and then a hit to cow corner where Pandey’s despairing dive cannot save a boundary.

That’s now 2-0-20-0 for Ashwin

Waiting with bated breath for that atrocious Pandya ball that will get a wicket

— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 31, 2016

After 8 overs, West Indies 59/2 ( Johnson Charles 23 , Lendl Simmons 21)

This is a very good rebuild here from West Indies. After a good start to the over from Pandya, where he concedes just three runs from the first four balls, he over-does the short ball strategy — gets pulled by Charles for 4.

Ashwin into the attack and it’s not a good over from the Chennai off-spinner. Starts with a wide ball outside off stump which Simmons hits uppishly but in the gap to third man for four. A couple of good balls later, he bowls another wide outside off — but this one is caught well by Bumrah! But hang on, the spinner HAS OVERSTEPPED! Oh dear. At least the free-hit ball is full and fast and Simmons can;t do nothing about it.

After 7 overs, India 62/0 ( Rohit Sharma 43 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

After 6 overs, West Indies 44/2 ( Johnson Charles 16 , Lendl Simmons 14)

Mumbai Indians star batsman Simmons is up and running in his ‘home’ ground. Jadeja into the attack and he smacks a full ball over long off. The last ball holds up just a bit but the top edge falls safe. 12 runs from the Jadeja over.

After 5 overs, West Indies 33/2 ( Johnson Charles 15 , Lendl Simmons 4)

Despite one bad short ball that Simmons pulls for four, Nehra’s over just goes for five runs. Excellent line and length from the oldie.

Kohli clapping as @NorthStandGang go about their chanting business.
What a man !

— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) March 31, 2016

After 4 overs, West Indies 28/2 ( Johnson Charles 14 , Lendl Simmons 0)

Charles takes on Bumrah and hits two fours — off the first two balls. First a swat over midwicket and then a delicate glance. Bumrah comes back well, just one run from hte next four balls. 

Mumbai Indians star Lendl Simmons walks in. West Indies bat quite deep, in case you didn’t know,

He has been going on about Samuels dismissal for a while now..

Took us a while to get this infographic made, but it is worth it. What an innings that was!

OUT! Ashish Nehra strikes too — yet again in the powerplay. A slower ball, that held up and Samuels spoons one to Rahane at short cover. He was backing away so much there Samuels! 

After 3 overs,West Indies 19/2 ( Johnson Charles 5 )

An Indian yorker! Wasn't known for many years! #Bumrah

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2016

Jasprit Bumrah has now taken 19 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals, each of a DIFFERENT batsman....8 Bowled, 2 LBW.#IndvsWI #WT20

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 31, 2016

After 2 overs, West Indies 14/1 ( Johnson Charles 1 , Marlon Samuels 8)

8 runs from the over but the big wicket for Bumrah. But remember, this West Indies team has shown they are not a one-man team. Samuels starts off with two boundaries — first a streaky outside edge that would have gone to 2nd slip. Then a super square cut.

OUT! No Ashwin vs Gayle tonight! Bumrah gets the big man with his first ball — it’s a full toss but it is fast, it  swings late and the curve and the dip is too much for Gayle — clatters the off stump. What a start for India!

That's the one #IND wanted, and it is a beauty from Bumrah! Gayle gone! 6/1

LIVE: https://t.co/3WCHLIYDks #WT20 pic.twitter.com/Hzz6OdhC8M

— ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2016

After 1 overs, West Indies 6/0 ( Johnson Charles 1 , Chris Gayle 5)

Quite the interesting over from Nehra ji. Five balls from Nehra to Gayle – starts with a swinging one outside off. Next ball is almost played on followed by an excellent bouncer. But the monent he gets one short of good length, he pulls it for four.

Kohli's strike rate of 189.36 is the highest by a batsman facing 40 or more balls and hitting just one or no sixes in a T20I inns.#IndvsWI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2016

WHAT NOISE! Virat Kohli leads #IND off the field after his remarkable innings of 89 off 47 balls #INDvWI #WT20 pic.twitter.com/0JDaRsufPP

— ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2016

Ashish Nehra ji with the ball… This is going to a gripping chase, tells my gut. Join in!

Indian team in a huddle. 192 is a decent score — decent because Wankhede, decent because Chris Gayle. Who is going to join England in the final?

End of the innings: Taking advantage of Russell’s last over, Kohli plunders 18 runs after Dhoni’s single, boosting India’s COW to 56%. The final over bowled by Bravo is comparatively economical, going for 12 runs, taking India’s COW to 57% at the end of the innings.

Virat Kohli's 89* today:

Balls: 47
Dots: 6
Ones: 19
Twos: 10
Fours: 11
Sixes: 1#IndvsWI #WT20

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2016

Best T20I scores for Kohli
90* v #AUS, Adelaide, 2016
89* v #WI today
82* v #AUS last match
78* v #PAK, Colombo (RPS), 2012#INDvWI #WT20

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 31, 2016

Its been stunning running b.w the wickets by #Ind since Yuvraj got out in Mohali. Just. STUNNING! #IndvsWI #WT20

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 31, 2016

Kohli had all the luck but if there is anyone who deserved some of it, it's him.

— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) March 31, 2016

Prepare yourselves for a slew of Kohli tweets….

20th over: Dhoni would have been disappointed not getting away the full toss off the first ball, gets just a single. Another chance goes begging as  Simmons puts down a chance at midwicket, Kohli gets back for two. Dhoni and Kohli steal a three off the fourth ball, and then Kohli flicks one effortlessly to long on for four. Just a single off the last ball.

After 20 overs, India 192/2 ( Virat Kohli 89 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 15)

Superlative running, superlative placement, and some luck too. India finish with 12 runs in the last over!

Finesse of Messi + power of Ronaldo + attitude of Zlatan = Kohli. #WT20 #IndvsWI

— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) March 31, 2016

After 19 overs, India 180/2 ( Virat Kohli 81 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 11)

Running out of words! Virat Kohli — you beautiful man. What an exhibiting of cricket. Russell again starts the over well – just three runs from the first two balls. Then Virat goes 6 – 2 – 4 – 4. First a flat-hit over long on, then a brilliant two — Shane Warne goes ‘how on earth did they get two there’ — then a lofted cover drive, followed by the shot of the day — a brutal, yet elegant straight drive.

After 18 overs, India 161/2 ( Virat Kohli 63 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 10)

It was actually a brilliant over from Dwayne Bravo — three runs from first three balls in the 18th over is tremendous against anyone. But then Kohli gets 8 off the last three. First a swat to long-on which falls short of long-on. Then the last ball is just stuff of legends — steps down, makes it a overpitched ball and finds the gap to precision. What a shot!

And counting.

Safe to say that Virat Kohli has surpassed all levels of greatness.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 31, 2016

Cometh the semi-final, cometh Virat Kohli. Fifty for India’s in-form batsman as he runs a brilliant two after chipping one to long-on. No better way to get to the landmark. Before that, finds the square leg boundary with precision. First ball off the over also saw Dhoni pick up a yorker from outside off and clip over short fine leg,

Big over for India. 17 runs from it.

After 17 overs, India 150/2 ( Virat Kohli 54 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 8)

60% of balls faced by Shikhar Dhawan in #WT20 2016 were dots (31 out of 52). Only 23% dots for Ajinkya Rahane today (8 out of 35).#IndvsWI

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 31, 2016

After 16 overs, India 133/2 ( Virat Kohli 44 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 1)

Just six runs from that over and West Indies will actually be the happier of the two sides right now. Bit of a surprise to see Dhoni walk out. Russell turning things around for Windies.

The other side to the Rahane innings. Has a point, but considering India’s top-order troubles so far, it’s a good innings, personally.

Sat out whole tournament, comes in, scores 40-odd, holds end and does the job of setting it up. Well played Rahane! #IndvsWI #WT20

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 31, 2016

OUT! Ajinkya Rahane’s innings ends and it might not be a bad think from India’s perspective. It was actually a well-played pull shot but he can’t clear Dwayne Bravo at deep-mid. Excellent high catch and the ‘champion’ dance to follow.

After 15 overs, India 127/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 40 , Virat Kohli 40)

Just seven runs from that Brathwaite over but it had one of the shots of the tournament. A full ball, almost yorker just outside the off stump and Kohli square drives it hard on to ground and it bounces over the short third man fielder for 4. Surely he couldn’t have meant that?

Only the 3rd time India have had 50+ partnerships for first 2 wkts in a T20I. First 2 were both in 2009. #IndvsWI #WT20

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2016

Entire ground chants Sachin..... Sachin in unison as the Master Blaster is shown on the big screen. #WT20 #IndvWI

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

After 14 overs, India 120/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 39 , Virat Kohli 34)

20 balls since the last dot-ball. Brilliant stuff from the two batsmen. Kohli starts Benn’s over with a scorching square drive — reaches the fence in a hurry. Ones and twos after that. Easy.

After 13 overs, India 109/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 36 , Virat Kohli 26)

Bravo gets back in to the attack. First three ball, four runs. The two of the third ball was a steal really — Rahane running to the non-strikers end had the after burners on. Thumbs up from Kohli. Next ball is  a full toss and Kohli finds the square leg boundary – thumbs up from everyone in the crowd. 11 runs from that over.

He’s getting into the zone now though…

Kohli has a totally different aura when chasing.

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) March 31, 2016

Chance of winning after 12th over: The 10th over goes for 10 runs, the dangerous Badree finishes his quota, and India’s COW stays at 52%. The 11th over goes for just 6 runs, bringing India’s COW down to 51%. The 12th over is also economical, just 7 runs coming from it, seeing India’s COW to 50%.

After 12 overs, India 98/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 35 , Virat Kohli 16)

Ones and twos again – the running between the wickets has significantly improved. Kohli is in the accumulating singles mode. Benn is economical once again.

Bit late, but here you go. Chance of winning

9th over: Things slowed back down in the 7th over, which went for just 7 runs, seeing India’s COW stay at 53%. Badree got the big wicket of Rohit in the 8th over and conceded just 4 runs, taking India’s COW down to 51%. The 9th over goes for 10 runs and Kohli manages not to get himself out, taking India’s COW to 52%.

Amen, Alan.

"Has anyone taken a breathe out there in last 10 minutes?" @alanwilkins22 asks, we're too out of breath to answer https://t.co/2iLVX5iiEp

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

After 11 overs,India 91/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 31 , Virat Kohli 13)

A six-run over from Brathwaite. Some time to catch some breath — for players, fans and live-bloggers alike.

After 10 overs, India 86/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 29 , Virat Kohli 10)

Rahane is keeping his calm among the mayhem. Pulls a long hop from Badree and it runs to midwicket for four.

No words.

After 9 overs, India 77/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 21 , Virat Kohli 9)

What an over! I need to catch my breath before describing it for you. Okay, here we go.

First ball – Rahane flicks a ball (slower one of course) for a single

Second ball – Bravo comes back with a bouncer

Third ball – another bouncer. Called no ball. Free hit coming up

Third ball – Completely misses a free-hit, slower one, has no idea where the ball is. Half way down the pitch, Ramdin misses a direct hit. Bravo picks it up, he misses a direct hit. Mayhem!

Fourth ball – Runs for a non-existent second run, Ramdin fails to collect a throw. (What are you on, Virat?!)

Fifth ball – Wide, Kohli edges and wide off third man for four.

Sixth ball – Quick-run, well-run double. For a change

Wow.

After 8 overs, India 66/1 ( Ajinkya Rahane 20 , Virat Kohli 1)

Successful over from Badree. Kohli gets off the mark with a quick single. Rahane looks to shift gears — a good cut shot is cut short at the cover boundary. 

Of course, loud cheers of Virat Kohli as he came in but you didn’t need us to tell that.

OUT! Rohit Sharma’s cameo is short-lived. Badree gets his man in the third over! The ball skids, holds its line. Seemed like a muffled appeal, but replays suggest it’s plumb LBW. Badree strikes!

After 7 overs, India 62/0 ( Rohit Sharma 43 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

A more sedate over given the nature of the last few, Sharma and Rahane deal in ones and twos as Benn’s over goes for 7 runs.

It's Rohit Sharma who took the word 'powerplay' and ran with it #IndvsWI #WT20 https://t.co/2iLVX5iiEp pic.twitter.com/ZoE0tQ0dRl

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

After 6 overs, India 55/0 ( Rohit Sharma 41 , Ajinkya Rahane 12)

This is officially an electric start for India. Their best powerplay, their best opening partnership in the World T2o. After 13 runs from that one ball — back-to-back sixes — Sharma finds the boundary off the last ball. Pulled to deep midwicket.

Hip-high full toss – Rohit smacks it to fine leg. Free hit — overpitched, Rohit smacks it straight back. Back-to-back sixes!

Rohit Sharma is in the house.

After 5 overs, India 35/0 ( Rohit Sharma 23 , Ajinkya Rahane 11)

Change of ends for Badree. Rahane finds the edge off Badree’s first ball — an attempted inside out cover drive — and the ball races to third man fence. Next ball is hit to wide long on but Bravo cuts it out with his feet.

Chance of winning:

3rd over: Russell’s opening over went for just 2 runs, a contrast to most other games he’s played in the tournament. This slow start on a high scoring pitch has brought India’s COW down to 50% immediately. The 2nd over, from the economical Badree, went for just 4 runs in singles, taking India’s COW to 48%. Rohit released some pressure with a 6 off the first ball of the 3rd over, which ultimately went for 9 runs, and saw India’s COW go to 45%.

And this. Wow.

Highest score for Rohit Sharma in this #WT20.#IndvsWI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2016

After 4 overs, India 26/0 ( Rohit Sharma 21 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

Given Rohit’s struggles against left-arm spin (his strike rate is 73 odd) Benn comes on in the powerplay. (fourth bowler in the fourth over).

But Rohit Sharma has other ideas. Two fours in that over – first a back foot punch through covers. Then sweeps and sweeps well to fine leg. 

India getting a move on. 20 from the last overs.

After 3 overs, India 15/0 ( Rohit Sharma 10 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

First big over for India. nine runs off it. Rohit’s Six was played with a very straighjt bat and went wide of long-on. Next ball, misses out on a short ball. A few singles (one very tight). Can India make a move on?

Huge cheer and then that typical 'ohhhhh' as Rohit hits a six and then plays and misses next one. #WT20 #IndvWI

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

What a stat that is!

This is Badree's 27th T20I.

- He has opened bowling in all the matches.
- He has never bowled in death overs (16th to 20th)#IndvsWI

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2016

Brathwaite into the attack and Rohit Sharma takes on him straight away. Six off the first ball!

After 2 overs, India 6/0 ( Rohit Sharma 2 , Ajinkya Rahane 3)

Samuel Badree, the legspinner who has been in great form, from the other end and starts off very well. First ball, Rohit is beaten all ends by a googly, gets a single — a leg-bye. Badree is getting the ball to skid and bounce, but no big turn. India still looking for their first boundary.

Good omen for India?

India and WI have met 3 times in Semi-Finals (any tournament), before this.

WI batted second in all and won all . They are chasing today!

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 31, 2016

After 1 overs, India 2/0 ( Rohit Sharma 1 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Andre Russell with an excellent first over. Just two runs off it. Russell starts hitting the right lenghts from the word go. The second ball moves away just a hint to beat Rohit, who is looking a bit tentative. Gets off the mark with a misfield. Rahane is surprised by the bounce off his first ball, gets off the mark too.

Darren Sammy was at his cheeky best pre-match…

Andre Russell runs in for the first over. Rohit Sharma on strike…

Ajinkya Rahane & Rohit Sharma – two Mumbai lads walk out in the middle. Chants of ‘Jeetega bhai, jeetega. India jeetega’ ring around the Wankhede.

Looking,down the line-ups though, India would have liked to chase against this West Indies attack

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2016

National Anthem time at Wankhede, Expect a mighty roar at the end of it!

#WI have the edge when it comes to the head-to-head in T20s. Can #IND even the score today? https://t.co/2iLVX5iiEp pic.twitter.com/l9WW2eEBIl

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

West Indies have taken the Virat chase out of the equation!

#IndvsWI
I hope someone convinces Kohli that actually we are batting second and chasing 300.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) March 31, 2016

Captains winning Toss most times in a row:
9* D Sammy (2015-16)
7 MS Dhoni (2010-12)
7 Moh'd Nabi (2013)
7 E Morgan (2012-15)#IndvsWI

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 31, 2016

Big changes. Loving them though. Rahane for Dhawan, Pandey for the injured Yuvraj. Should be fun.

— Chinmay Bhogle (@chinmaybhogle) March 31, 2016

45% of you wanted Ajinkya Rahane, 35% wanted Manish Pandey. Turns out Dhoni wanted both in the XI. Big call, captain!

Big call from India, and unlike Dhoni, to make changes. India looking for some stability at the top with @ajinkyarahane88

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2016

WI XI: J Charles, C Gayle, M Samuels, L Simmons, D Ramdin, DJ Bravo, A Russell, D Sammy, C Brathwaite, S Badree, S Benn

— ICC Live Scores (@ICCLive) March 31, 2016

Big team news for India: BOTH Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey come into the XI. Shikhar Dhawan has been dropped, Yuvraj Singh, of course, is injured.

BIG NEWS

“As far as atmosphere is concerned, it is very difficult to beat Wankhede.”: MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni was looking to bowl first. But this is not a easy ground to chase with the dew, he thinks.

West Indies have won the toss and they will bowl first. The Kohli factor?

It’s almost toss-time.

Attention will be on the strip, of course. This might be the best batting strip India have been given in this World T20, will that help their top-order come back to form?

#WT20: Here's how the pitch is looking for the 2nd semi-final between #Ind and #WI pic.twitter.com/0rs5dftsiD

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 31, 2016

Will we see Manish Pandey feature today? In case you missed it — of course, you did not — Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of the World T20 with an ankle injury. 

#WT20: Captain @msdhoni enters the ground with @im_manishpandey. Match starts at 7 PM IST today. pic.twitter.com/7v8VSS2V0I

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 31, 2016

MS Dhoni vs Dwayne Bravo: 

“Being able to bowl at the death when there is a big challenge. To know that for the last five years I’ve been playing for Chennai (CSK) and captain MS Dhoni trusts me so much that every time the team is in a spot of bother, he throws the ball to me. I enjoy that,” this is what Dwayne Bravo told Firstpost. And more than likely, he will be up against the man he admires a lot.

The West Indian all-rounder has been in good form this World T20 too, picking up six wickets in the four matches, at an economy rate of 6.81 — a figure inflated by figures of 2 for 41 against England in that run-fest in Wankhede. Even then he managed to pick up the wickets of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.

Dhoni, on the other hand, has been restricted to brief cameos so far except the match against New Zealand when he was fighting a lone battle with wickets tumbling around him. He has, however, looked in good touch. Having played with Bravo for so long, India will count on his abilities to pick up the pace variations at the end.

And some more Virat love......... #IndvWI #WT20 #Kohli pic.twitter.com/pureAeoKQ9

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

In case you missed it…

So, Congratulations to #WI Women, who will face defending champions #AUS in the #WT20 Final on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/J6EvMRrjPz

— ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2016

Not surprsingly, Wankhede has been a batting paradise so far. Even the women’s semi-final that just concluded – where West Indies women won – the ball was coming on to the bat quite well.

There are some fascinating one-on-one battles to watch out for in the match today, not least of all Chris Gayle and Ravichandran Ashwin. 

Interesting stat: Ashwin holds a slight edge over Gayle, having dismissed him four times in the past, and barely letting him score. Gayle, who is 36 at the moment, will want to make the most of what is perhaps his chance to help his side win a major trophy in international cricket.

ICC World T20: Dhoni vs Bravo, Gayle vs Ashwin and other key battles in India-West Indies semi-final – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Seems like fans have been intelligent with their themes. #WT20 #IndvWI pic.twitter.com/HJm3FzgW8H

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

Firstpost’s Jigar Mehta is at the ground — at the stands, actually — and he’ll bring you all the action and excitement at the ground.

Another one of those Virat banners in the North Stand. #WT20 #IndvWI pic.twitter.com/NdtC3xev4K

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 31, 2016

World T20: History of India vs West Indies suggests the match is more than just a semi-final – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

The match starts at 7pm – 65 minutes from now. As we wait for all the pre-match build-up, why don’t you read some of the (honestly excellent) material we have on our site today.

To begin with, a fascinating look at the history of India – West Indies clashes.

All the pre-match talk has been about the two superstars – Virat Kohli and  Chris Gayle. Teammates in the IPL, but today nothing but opponents. Of course, cricket is a team game and all that, but it won’t be an overstatement to say these two players hold the fate of their teams in their hands.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the World T20. It’s the big-match as hosts India take on the T20 specialists West Indies at the iconic Wankhede, Mumbai. We can barely control our excitement!