India v West Indies World T20: West Indies Player Ratings

West Indies moved one step closer towards the coveted World T20 trophy after they upset hosts and tournament favorite India. The Calypso Kings emerged victorious as they beat India by seven wickets in a high-scoring encounter. India put up a formidable 192/2 on the scoreboard riding on the back of Virat Kohli’s superb knock of 89 from just 47 balls. In reply, West Indies began very badly as they lost their main man Chris Gayle, and Marlon Samuel before the first powerplay. However, what followed after their dismissal was a true spectacle. Lendl Simmons (82 from 51 balls) and Andre Russell (43 from 20 balls) thrashed the Indian bowler all over the park and eventually chased down the target pretty easily.

Johnston Charles – 8.5/10:

Johnston Charles batted wonderfully today. West Indies chase was shook by the early dismissal of Chris Gayle but Charles seemed unaffected and batted with authority. He forged a match-defining stand of 97 runs with Lendl Simmons for the 4^th wicket. Charles smashed 52 off just 36 balls at a strike rate of close to 145 before unluckily losing his wicket to Virat Kohli.

Chris Gayle – 1/10:

Chris Gayle had a huge responsibility on his shoulders today. With a target of 193 runs staring at face of the Windies team, a blazing start from Gayle was very essential. But, the Jamaican giant caused an utter heartbreak when he lost his wicket in just second over of the match. A fantastic in-swinging yorker by Jasprit Bumrah shattered the stumps and sent Gayle back to the pavilion for just 5 runs to his name.

Marlon Samuels – 1.5/10:

A lot of hopes rested on Marlon Samuels after West Indies lost Gayle early. But the right hander could stand up to the occasion and was dismissed cheaply. Samuels looked good initially but left armer Nehra got better of him in the 3rd over, sending him back to the dugout for just 8 runs.

Lendl Simmons – 9.5/10:

Lendl Simmons was perhaps the luckiest man at Wankhede Stadium today. Simmons enjoyed three lucky lives today and was the main reason behind West Indies’ triumph. Simmons came in at a fragile situation when the Calypso Kings were struggling at 19/2 and went on to bat till the end to score a match-winning knock of 82 runs off just 51 balls studded with 5 sixes and 7 fours.

Dwayne Bravo – 1/10:

DJ Bravo and his range of variations did not have any impact on the unstoppable looking Indians. He is known to chip in with breakthroughs but today was a off day for the medium pacer. Bravo did not find a single success with the ball and gave away 44 runs in his 4 overs spell.

Andre Russell – 8/10:

Russell returned with 1/47, the worst figures among West Indies bowlers. Russell opened the bowling attack and bowled a very tight over, giving away just 2 runs off it. But, soon, Rohit Sharma broke his rhythm. Kohli then plundered him during the death overs. His only success of the day was the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. However, Rusell made up for his poor bowling performance later in the second innings. He played an important role with the bat as he played a crucial knock of 43 run off just 34 balls to help his team chase down the target and sail home comfortably.

Carlos Brathwaite – 2.5/10:

Braithwaite was also at the receiving end of the Indians today. His opening over saw 9 runs coming off it. He bowled tightly in the next couple overs before MS Dhoni decimated him for 17 runs in his final over to spoil his day completely. He ended with 0/38 against his name.

Samuel Badree – 8/10:

Samuel Badree was the pick of the bowler for the Windies today. The leg spinner bowled beautifully and ended with figures of 1/26 in his bustling four overs spell. Badree opened the bowling with Andre Russell and looked very tricky to go after. Ajinkya Rahane, especially, looked little baffled with his googlies. He got his only success of the day in the 8th over when he trapped Rohit Sharma leg before to give the first breakthrough for West Indies.

Suliemann Benn – 2.5/10:

Sulieman Benn started off expensively, giving away 11 runs when he was brought in as the first change bowler by Sammy. He made up by being tight his following over but later, he began bleeding runs as Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli went after him. This eased the pressure off the Indians and, in turn, added more burden on the bowling side. Benn, eventually, finished with below par figures of 0/36.

Denesh Ramdin (WK): 

Denesh Ramdin performed his primary role of wicket keeping very well in the first innings.

Darren Sammy (C):

All Darren Sammy could do today was sit back and enjoy Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell take West Indies into the finals.