In the first T20I of the five-match series, the West Indies beat India by 4 runs. Chasing 150 runs at Brain Lara Stadium in Trinidad, Indian batters failed to put up a show. The Carrebian bowlers bowled exceptionally to win the game and take a 1-0 lead against the young Indian team.
Earlier, after winning the toss, West Indies skipper Rovman Powell opted to bat first. His decision did go well with the team, as the hosts posted a competitive total of 149/6 on a slow surface. Opener Brandon King scored 28 runs before Nicholas Pooran and Powell stole the show with the bat. Pooran, in his innings, scored 41 runs off 34 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, Powell scored 48 runs off 32 balls with the help of three fours and three sixes. Apart from them, not a single batter looked comfortable as the West Indies ended their innings without scoring a boundary in the last nine balls. For India, pacer Arshdeep Singh and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal clinched two wickets each. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav got one wicket each.
India failed to chase against an impressive Croatian bowling performance
Chasing 150 runs, India got off to a shaky start as opener Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan fell early. Gill continued his poor performance as he scored just 3 runs off 9 balls, while Kishan scored 6 runs off 9 balls. After their departure, Suryakumar Yadav and debutant Tilak Verma tried to build a partnership. However, they failed to convert it, as they added 39 runs for the third wicket.
Suryakumar, in his innings, scored 21 runs off 21 balls with the help of two fours and a six. Meanwhile, debutant Tilak Verma scored 39 runs off 22 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes. After that, skipper Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson also tried to get some runs but failed on a slow surface. For the West Indies, pacers Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, and Obed McCoy clinched two wickets each, while spinner Akela Hossain got a wicket.
Here is how fans reacted to the West Indies’ victory:
It ain’t easy pic.twitter.com/wxcMpdhlTJ
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 3, 2023
That's what happen when you bench top class opener like rohit
— nav_97 (@MMalik002) August 3, 2023
Game hai bhai, ismey haar haar toh hoti rehti hai?
— Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) August 3, 2023
Khela inse jaa nahi raha hai aur service inko 5 star chahiye.
— Dr. JANGO (@doctor_jango) August 3, 2023
yuzi chahal cant bat cant field and even not bowl .
— Sahil Singh Bhatia (@sahilsingh333) August 3, 2023
This team without Virat Kohli is Srilanka
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) August 3, 2023
Chapri team with Chapri players ? pic.twitter.com/I2O4uwQ0rr
— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) August 3, 2023
Landya mc
— KL Rahul ? (@klRahul__1) August 3, 2023
this is all they can without Rohit and Virat. imagine if they retire then what?? who will be next virat and rohit sharma (who plays pull shot like no one can)
— Umer Farooq (@UmerUchiha) August 3, 2023
Once Hardik Pandya said somewhere (in parallel universe ?) that we have such bench strength that we can make 2 teams at a same and win the match anywhere. #INDvWI #Hardik #WIvsIND #BCCI #T20I
— DEEPAK ? (@imdeepakkumar_) August 3, 2023
I think every player in #TeamIndia playing XI should be allowed to play in their IPL team jersey .. that way may get that energy and fighting spirit to win. #JustSaying
— dD@$h (@dashman207) August 3, 2023
Once a living legend said: We can have two more teams & win any competition in the World
— dot?xe (@dotexe786) August 3, 2023
Can't even chase 150 against WI and they want to win WC?
— Deep ( ? ) (@Deep12955533) August 3, 2023
Losing moment pic.twitter.com/YSRQW8DvOh
— Raja Fahim (@RajaFah52772615) August 3, 2023
Landya can't even win match against weaker westindies pic.twitter.com/8rJJe8l0Pg
— ?O??Y ???Is?IT YADAV?? (@harishit_bobby) August 3, 2023
It ain’t easy daww pic.twitter.com/4WwgGbY4KN
— REDFOX (@selflessrohit45) August 3, 2023
and bcci thinks this chapri will win T20 world cup by winning scripted ipl pic.twitter.com/egQl3B1AmQ
— ???? (@abxdalt) August 3, 2023
