In the first T20I match of the three-match series, Team India holds the commanding position as they restrict West Indies to a total of 95 runs.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. India included Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini and Khaleel Ahmed in their playing XI. All five players were a part of India A squad which toured Windies last month.
It was a dream debut for Saini as he picked up 2 crucial wickets of Nicholas Pooran (20 runs off 16 balls) and Shimron Hetmyer (0) in his first over. He also picked the wicket of dangerous Kieron Pollard in the last over of the match. Saini took 3 wickets, giving only 17 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
Right arm pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2 wickets while Jadeja, Krunal, Khaleel, and Sundar picked 1 wicket each.
West Indies were over-aggressive in their approach losing both of their opening batsmen, John Campbell and Evin Lewis out for a duck. Kieron Pollard played an outstanding inning, scoring 49 runs off 49 balls (2 fours and 4 sixes), holding the crease at one end.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Kudos Navdeep Saini on ur India debut. U already have 2 wkts even before u have bowled— @BishanBedi & @ChetanChauhanCr. Their middle stumps are gone seeing debut of a player whose cricketing obituary they wrote even before he stepped on the field, shame!!! @BCCI pic.twitter.com/skD77GYjk9
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 3, 2019
Well bowled Navdeep Saini. Just the start, keep rocking speedster. #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/CDmkkOBEec
— Parvinder Awana (@ParvinderAwana) August 3, 2019
Navdeep Saini just bowled a wicket maiden in the 20th over of the T20 match. Superb international debut for the youngster. 3 wickets overall… #INDvsWI
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) August 3, 2019
It’s a dream debut for Navdeep Saini
Pure delhite flavour 💪🏻
Bowing figures- 4-1-17-3
& specially that wicket maiden last over of the innings 💥
Such a class player ❤️
Rise & Shine 💯#INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/48vcDQQbfH— S H I V A M (@shivammalik_) August 3, 2019
Navdeep Saini, you beauty. A gem in making. #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/zMf5Os5znK
— Ravi Shekhar (@Ravi_Shekhar98) August 3, 2019
A wicket maiden last over!
🔝 effort from the debutant Navdeep Saini 👏WI – 95/9 #WIvIND #KorboLorboJeetbo
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) August 3, 2019
RCB fans after watching Navdeep saini….#INDvsWI #WIAvINDA pic.twitter.com/JMlr3qu4mU
— Thala Jit (@DadhaniyaJit) August 3, 2019
Navdeep Saini To T20I Cricket! 😎 #INDvsWI #WIvIND #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/hmJAbldi5n
— Prathamesh Avachare (@onlyprathamesh) August 3, 2019
What a start for #NavdeepSaini
LIVE SCORECARD –> https://t.co/G63lhPSDwr#WIVIND pic.twitter.com/VRWMvocQ1d— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 3, 2019
A Wicket Maiden In Last Over Of The Innings, Navdeep Saini Has Trespassed All The Levels Awesomeness With His Bowling Today! ✌🏽 #INDvsWI #WIvIND #INDvWI
— Prathamesh Avachare (@onlyprathamesh) August 3, 2019
Wicket maiden to end the first innings at Lauderhill from Saini.
Windies finish with 95/9 on the board.#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #TeamIndia #WIvIND
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 3, 2019
