After white-washing West Indies with a 3-1 in the 3-match ODI series, team India started the ongoing T20I series with a blockbuster note by defeating the visitors in the first match at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Rohit Sharma along with his opening partner Ishan Kishan gave the Indian side a flying start as India looked all set to be chasing the target down with some overs to space. Rohit Sharma played a quickfire knock as he smashed the ball all around the ground but after Sharma fell, things got slowed down.
ＥＬＥＣＴＲＩＦＹＩＮＧ start from our boys
A partnership of 58*(36) between ?? and ????? gives ?? a perfect launch! ??
??: 58/0 (6)#OneFamily #INDvWI @ImRo45 @ishankishan51 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/qtllRVt12U
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 16, 2022
Ishan Kishan did make 35 runs but they came at a struggle and he failed to build on it. Virat Kohli was also dismissed shortly after Ishan Kishan and suddenly the required rate was rising up. Suryakumar Yadav alongwith Venkatesh Iyer made sure to keep the scoreboard ticking over and the bad balls were sent to the fence. Riding on the 48-run stand between the two, the Indian side won the contest with 7 balls to spare.
Earlier, the Indian bowlers displayed a stellar show with the ball as they managed to restrict the West Indies to 157 runs. Ravi Bishnoi, who made his debut for the Indian cricket team, won the Man of the Match award for his exceptional spell. He dismissed Roston Chase and Rovman Powell to return with the figures of 2/17.
Apart from him, Yuzvendra Chahal, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also picked three wickets each, while Harshal Patel picked 2 wickets.
Meanwhile, fans on social media were overjoyed with the Indian side taking a lead in the ongoing 3-match T20I series. From cricketers, fans to experts everyone took to Twitter and showered praises on the Indian side.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
West Indies have disrespected Eden Gardens with their batting.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 16, 2022
Nice way to finish @venkateshiyer 1-0 @BCCI and @surya_14kumar was excellent in the chase. @ImRo45 played a blinder after the Bishnoi show with the ball. #INDvWI
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 16, 2022
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 16, 2022
When Rohit sharma play in eden garden. #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/HET0aOvkvu
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) February 16, 2022
??? A SOLID WIN! India start the T20I series with a satisfying W, thanks to the brilliant knocks of Rohit and SKY.
? One down, two to go!
? BCCI • #INDvWI #INDvsWI #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI?? pic.twitter.com/eKWug55F5f
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) February 16, 2022
The winning run continues. ??#INDvWI #TeamIndia
?: @BCCI pic.twitter.com/DwICRjfkqh— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) February 16, 2022
Suryakumar Yadav might be the most versatile Indian along with KL in white ball cricket right now. Bats from 1-4 for MI, 4-6 in internationals, has a wide range of shots. Guy used to finish consistently at 5 or 6 for KKR. Feels good to see him succeed everywhere.
— Heisenberg
(@internetumpire) February 16, 2022
(@internetumpire) 