Touring for the first time since the World Cup, India delivered a strong performance against the West Indies by winning 3-0 in the T20 series held in USA and Guyana. The Delhi southpaw Rishabh Pant, who was selected as the full-time wicket keeper for the first time across all formats, scored a brilliant 65* (42) in the final T20 to seal the series in style.
With veteran wicket keeper batsman MS Dhoni opting out for a two month rest, the likes of Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya and Shreyas Iyer were roped into the limited overs squad, along with Shikhar Dhawan making his way into the team for the first time since his thumb injury in the World Cup.
Delhi speedster, Navdeep Saini, who was a net bowler for Indian team in the World Cup, made a dream debut by clinching 3 wickets for just 17 runs in the first T20 held at Florida, USA. Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Kieron Pollard fell prey to Saini’s excruciating and raw pace, which left West Indies with a below par total of just 95 in 20 overs. In spite of the resistance from the Caribbean bowling unit which dismissed the top three Indian batsmen for just 32 runs, India chased the total down with 3 overs to remain. Debutant Navdeep Saini was judged Man of the Match.
Batting first in the second T20 held on August 4 at the same venue, India scored 167, with vice-captain Rohit Sharma leading the attack, scoring 67 from 51 balls. The Mumbaikar was supported well with contributions from Delhi batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. With the rain playing spoilsport, the D/L method projected that the West Indies were 22 runs behind the par score resulting in an Indian series win. Krunal Pandya who chipped in with crucial cameo of 20 runs, and took 2 wickets in the second innings, was judged as Man of the Match.
In the third T20 held at Guyana on August 6, the Rajasthan speedster Deepak Chahar displayed a ‘Man of the Match’ performance by claiming 3 wickets for just 4 runs in his 3 overs. West Indian T20 veteran, Kieron Pollard with a valiant 45-ball 58, pulled West Indies to a moderately safe total of 146. With Indian openers getting dismissed early, Delhites Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant led the Indian chase. While the skipper squeezed doubles and boundaries through the gap and scored a safe 59, Pant cruised through the chase scoring a solid 65 from just 42 balls. Finishing off with a straight six over the bowler, Rishabh Pant did what MS Dhoni has been famous for and proved the Indian selectors right.
The final win, was India’s sixth consecutive T20 win against the West Indies. India will take on West Indies in three match ODI series starting from August 8.
Touring for the first time since the World Cup, India delivered a strong performance against the West Indies by winning 3-0 in the T20 series held in USA and Guyana. The Delhi southpaw Rishabh Pant, who was selected as the full-time wicket keeper for the first time across all formats, scored a brilliant 65* (42) in the final T20 to seal the series in style.
With veteran wicket keeper batsman MS Dhoni opting out for a two month rest, the likes of Manish Pandey, Krunal Pandya and Shreyas Iyer were roped into the limited overs squad, along with Shikhar Dhawan making his way into the team for the first time since his thumb injury in the World Cup.
Delhi speedster, Navdeep Saini, who was a net bowler for Indian team in the World Cup, made a dream debut by clinching 3 wickets for just 17 runs in the first T20 held at Florida, USA. Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Kieron Pollard fell prey to Saini’s excruciating and raw pace, which left West Indies with a below par total of just 95 in 20 overs. In spite of the resistance from the Caribbean bowling unit which dismissed the top three Indian batsmen for just 32 runs, India chased the total down with 3 overs to remain. Debutant Navdeep Saini was judged Man of the Match.
Batting first in the second T20 held on August 4 at the same venue, India scored 167, with vice-captain Rohit Sharma leading the attack, scoring 67 from 51 balls. The Mumbaikar was supported well with contributions from Delhi batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. With the rain playing spoilsport, the D/L method projected that the West Indies were 22 runs behind the par score resulting in an Indian series win. Krunal Pandya who chipped in with crucial cameo of 20 runs, and took 2 wickets in the second innings, was judged as Man of the Match.
In the third T20 held at Guyana on August 6, the Rajasthan speedster Deepak Chahar displayed a ‘Man of the Match’ performance by claiming 3 wickets for just 4 runs in his 3 overs. West Indian T20 veteran, Kieron Pollard with a valiant 45-ball 58, pulled West Indies to a moderately safe total of 146. With Indian openers getting dismissed early, Delhites Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant led the Indian chase. While the skipper squeezed doubles and boundaries through the gap and scored a safe 59, Pant cruised through the chase scoring a solid 65 from just 42 balls. Finishing off with a straight six over the bowler, Rishabh Pant did what MS Dhoni has been famous for and proved the Indian selectors right.
The final win, was India’s sixth consecutive T20 win against the West Indies. India will take on West Indies in three match ODI series starting from August 8.
