India won the first T20I in the series against the West Indies by five wickets at Kolkata.
The West Indies started well against India but couldn’t carry the momentum through the innings, as only Fabian Allen (27 off 20 balls, four fours) was able to break into the 20s.
Shai Hope (14), Kieron Pollard (14) and Shimron Hetmyer (10) all made starts but couldn’t keep the momentum going, while Keemo Paul (15 not out) at the end helped to claw the score past 100.
Kuldeep Yadav was excellent with the ball, returning figures of 3-13, while Krunal Pandya (1-15) and Khaleel Ahmed (1-16) also did well to contain the West Indies batters.
In response, India found themselves four wickets down for only 45 runs after 7.4 overs, with KL Rahul back in the hut for 16.
Manish Pandey (19 off 24 balls) helped to get the innings back on track for Dinesh Karthik (31 not out off 34 balls, three fours, one six) and Krunal Pandya (21 not out off nine balls, three fours) to see Indian home with 13 balls to spare.
West Indian slow left-arm orthodox bowler Khary Pierre was one of five players making their T20I debut in the match, and Pierre bowled outstandingly, his four overs costing just 16 runs (econ 4.00) and yielding one wicket and 12 dot balls. Pierre took a spectacular catch to remove Pandey, diving full length to his left to claim his maiden T20I wicket.
Carlos Brathwaite (2-11) and Oshane Thomas (2-21) also put in great shifts with the ball but couldn’t deny India their win.
Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for his superb figures of 3-13 in the West Indies innings.
Photo: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images
