Powell, bowlers power West Indies past India in series opener

The West Indies claimed first blood in the five-match T20I series against India with a narrow four-run victory over Hardik Pandya’s side at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. Rovman Powell dragged the hosts to a par score of 149/6 before the new-look Indian batting unit struggled on a slow surface to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series.

Chasing 150, the Men in Blue endured a shaky start as both openers departed inside the powerplay. Akeal Hosein stifled Shubman Gill early on and had the right-hander stumped for 3, while Ishan Kishan mistimed a slower delivery from Obed McCoy to mid-on.

Tilak Varma’s arrival injected some life into the Indian chase as the debutant got off the mark with back-to-back sixes against Alzarri Joseph. The left-hander also carved Romario Shepherd over extra cover to race away to 28 off just 12 balls, putting India in a comfortable position at 63 for 2 in 8 overs.

However, the visitors suffered an untimely double blow to derail their efforts. Shimron Hetmyer took a stunning catch at cover to remove Suryakumar Yadav before holding onto another vital grab in the deep an over later to dismiss Tilak Varma on 39.

Varma’s wicket left India in a pickle at 77 for 4, and the slide continued as Hardik Pandya was undone by a cutter from Jason Holder before Sanju Samson was sent packing by a direct hit from Kyle Mayers. The visitors slumped to 129 for 7 when Axar holed out in the deep and ultimately fell four runs short of their target, despite a valiant late effort from Arshdeep Singh.

Earlier, Brandon King teed off from the outset after the West Indies won the toss and chose to bat, but Chahal struck twice in the fifth over to dismiss both openers. Nicholas Pooran maximised the powerplay to take the West Indies to 54 for 2 after six overs, but the Indian spinners took control of the innings once the field restrictions were lifted, with only 42 runs coming off the next 48 deliveries.

However, Rovman Powell drove the West Indies to a par score with some fireworks at the death, smashing a quickfire 32-ball 48 to take his side to 149, a total which proved to be enough to give the hosts a 1-0 series lead.