India beat Windies by 68 runs, take 1-0 lead in T20I series

Trinidad: Captain Rohit Sharma’s 64 off 44 and Dinesh Karthik’s blazing unbeaten 41 off 19 helped India crush West Indies by 68 runs in the first T20I at Brian Lara Stadium here on Friday.
India posted a competitive 190/6 in 20 overs. In reply, the hosts could only manage 122/8.
Rohit started India’s innings with Surya Kumar Yadav (24 off 16), who opened the innings for the first time in his career, but the middle-order collapse constrained the run-flow.
The hosts did all the right things until the 17th over. They removed Shreyas Iyer for not and then sent Rishabh Pant 14 off 12 balls. Hardik Pandya departed too soon for one.
After getting reduced to 102/4 in 11.5 overs, Karthik arrived at the crease and turned the tables against West Indies, putting India back into the fray. He, along with Ravichandran Ashwin (13 not out off 10), stitched 52-run stand for 7th wicket.
They plundered 36 runs in the last two overs, taking advantage of the hosts bringing an extra fielder inside after they were penalized for their slow over rate.
The hosts got off to a fiery start with Kayle Mayers (15 off 6) tore to pieces Indian bowlers all-round the park, but Arshdeep Singh pocketed the West Indies opener after leaking 10 runs in first two deliveries.
Jason Holder was sent at No.3, a ploy that did not work as he was clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja’s spin for duck.
Shamarh Brooks made 20 off 15 balls but could stay long as he was cleaned up by quickie Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.
The hosts were cruising along well with 66/3 in 8.1 overs before taking Jadeja to the cleaners, spanking 13 runs in his second over.
But Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi turned the match in India’s favor by blowing a hole in the powerful middle order.
They removed the dangerous captain Nicholos Pooran (18 off 15), Rovman Powell (14 off 17) and Shimron Hetmyer (14 off 15).
Once Odean Smith (0) departed, there was hardly any intent and credit to the Indian spinners who bowled splendidly well to tie the batsmen down with clever change in pace and variations.
Earlier, Rohit blasted at the top, but others failed to contribute much as West Indies bowled and fielded extremely well with Akeal Hosein leading from the front. He took one wicket for 14 and was involved in two fine catches.
After the departure of Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja (16 off 13) India were staring at 160-odd total, but they catapulted it to 190 due to Karthik’s gallant display.
Brief scores: India 190/6 (Rohit 64, Karthik 41 not out; Alzarri Joseph 2/46 ) in 20 overs. West Indies 122/8 in 20 overs (Shamarh Brooks 20; Ravichandran Ashwin 2/22, Ravi Bishnoi 2/26, Arshdeep Singh 2/24). (UNI)