Thomas impress despite Windies loss
West Indies made a fist of it, but the lack of runs, courtesy of another batting implosion, proved their downfall as they slipped to a fivewicket defeat to India in the opening Twenty20 International yesterday.
Defending an inadequate 109 at Eden Gardens, West Indies were in the contest after reducing the hosts to 45 for four in the eighth over as debutant fast bowler Oshane Thomas produced a fiery spell to unsettle the top order.
But India steadied themselves through a fifth-wicket partnership between Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey to get over the line with 13 balls remaining and extend West Indies’ misery on tour.
Karthik top-scored with an unbeaten 31 off 34 deliveries, while debutant Krunal Pandya chipped in with 21 not out off nine balls, delivering India’s 12th victory in their last 15 T20 Internationals for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The 21-year-old Thomas, who made his international debut in the just-concluded one-day series, shone brightly with two for 21 from four overs, which included 17 dot balls, while skipper Carlos Brathwaite was outstanding with two for 11 from his four overs.
West Indies had earlier fallen apart spectacularly to finish on 109 for eight off their 20 overs – their lowest-ever total against the Indians and their eighth-lowest overall.
All-rounder Fabian Allen, on debut, top-scored with 27 from 20 deliveries, but he was the only one to pass 20.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav continued his excellent run on the tour, claiming three for 13 from his four overs as West Indies lost wickets from the outset and never recovered.