Dinesh Karthik anchored a tricky chase with a measured unbeaten 31 as India beat Windies by 5 wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
After restricting the visitors at a below-par score of 109-8, India suffered a top-order collapse but Karthik stayed till the end to guide the hosts home with 13 balls to spare.
All-rounder Krunal Pandya made a memorable debut, claiming the important wicket of Kieron Pollard before returning to score 21 not out off just nine balls, including the winning runs.
Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav ripped the heart out of the Caribbean side with his triple strikes as the touring batsmen struggled to read the unorthodox left-arm spinner.
Fabian Allen top-scored for the Windies with 27 to take them past the 100-mark.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
India had early jitters chasing 110 but @DineshKarthik and @krunalpandya24 saw them through to take a 1-0 lead in the series 👏👏 #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/ILhy7FyDBS
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 4, 2018
Such a bundle of talent Kuldeep. He has now got a quick delivery going at 107 kph. His average speed is in the 70s.
👏👏👏🙏#IndvWI— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 4, 2018
Congratulations Boy’s @circleofcricket @ESPNcricinfo @ImRo45 @SDhawan25 @DineshKarthik @im_manishpandey @klrahul11 @RishabPant777 @imkuldeep18 @Jaspritbumrah93 @y_umesh @yuzi_chahal @ICC @circleofcricket pic.twitter.com/hGDh8vJUJK
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) November 4, 2018
Lovely composure from Krunal Pandya on his debut match for India and Dinesh Karthik using all his experience to help India win the first T20. WI have a really exciting prospect in Oshane Thomas #IndvWI
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 4, 2018
Glad to see the youngsters like @imkuldeep18 taking the lead and being so disciplined in his bowling spell. Loved the way @DineshKarthik silently played a good knock today. Also, a good debut for @krunalpandya24. Congratulations Team India for the win! #IndvWI
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) November 4, 2018
While watching Krunal play you wouldn’t know that it was his first International game. Totally in control throughout. Impressive. #ThankYouIPL #IndvWI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 4, 2018
I am enjoying watching the calmer, more measured Dinesh Karthik bat. It would be interesting to ask him but I believe he has been at his best as a batsman in the last couple of years.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 4, 2018
What a start for Krunal Pandya!#INDvWI #1stT20I #WIvIND #Cricket #TheCricketTimes pic.twitter.com/4OzpmHo1GM
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 4, 2018
Dinesh Karthik last two innings for India in T20Is
29* in 8 balls (2f, 3s) v Bangladesh at Colombo 18 March 2018
31* in 34 balls (3f, 1s) v W Indies at Kolkata 4 Nov 2018#IndvWI— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 4, 2018
Krunal Pandya's maiden IPL wicket was Dinesh Karthik. Pollard was playing alongside him.
Krunal Pandya's maiden T20I wicket is Pollard. Dinesh Karthik was playing alongside him.
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 4, 2018
A dream India debut for Krunal Pandya!
15 for 1 in 4 overs with ball
21* off 9 with bat#IndvWI— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 4, 2018
Krunal Pandya completes fine debut with crucial knock following a fine spell. Taut match though! What a pitt West Indies without Russell, Narine and Gayle
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/SaiyamRo45/status/1059125990616555521
Extremely impressed with the calmness of Krunal Pandya. It has only been one game but he gives the impression he is ready.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/1059108345599033344
Most wins in first ten T20Is as captain:
9 Rohit Sharma
8 Shoaib Malik/ M Clarke/ Asghar Afghan/ Sarfraz Ahmed
That's something…#INDvWI— pankaj (@pankukiddo) November 4, 2018
Smelling a huge IPL deal why ? Cause he’s an impact bowler with the new ball have the Indian players hopping around 🔥🔥🔥 #Heat #140/148 💪🏾 #OshaneThomas
— Tino95 (@tinobest) November 4, 2018
Kuldeep Yadav won the man of the match award for his magical spell of 4-0-13-3#INDvWI #1stT20I #Cricket #TheCricketTimes pic.twitter.com/8pMRP7vvPj
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 5, 2018
