Twitter Reactions: Navdeep Saini shines on India’s laboured victory in opener

Unlike the previous T20Is at the Lauderhill, Florida, the first match between Windies and India turned out to be a low-scoring affair. The teams dominated with the ball in hand, but it was Virat Kohli’s Men in Blue, who got home by four wickets. After a rather shoddy batting show, the hosts’ bowlers tried their hearts out. But their efforts couldn’t help the Windies evade the defeat.

Saini shines on India debut

Both the teams opted for field first as the pitch was under covers. It was the visitors, who got the privilege. The Caribbean team didn’t have much to cheer thereafter as Brathwaite’s men could only manage 95 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar got rid of the openers- John Campbell and Evin Lewis- respectively. Then it was debutant Navdeep Saini’s turn to show his class.

Nicholas Pooran spanked him for a six downtown, but Saini came back to dismiss him. In the very delivery, Navdeep Saini ripped Shimron Hetmyer’s poles apart. Amidst a flurry of wickets, Kieron Pollard (49) tried to restore sanity into the proceedings. He played until the very last over and hit two boundaries and four sixes. Saini eventually got rid of him. Saini also bowled a wicket-maiden in the 20th over.

Windies fight, but to no avail

Sheldon Cottrell gave Windies the early breakthrough, trapping Shikhar Dhawan in front. However, Rohit Sharma (24) found the fence a few times until he fell prey to a rash shot off Sunil Narine. Rishabh Pant got a golden duck as he tried to take on Narine. At the other end, Kohli was circumspect and took his time. He was involved in a useful 32-run partnership with Manish Pandey.

Keemo Paul castled Pandey to separate the ominous-looking duo. Pandey got a quick-fire 19 runs off 14 balls. A couple of overs later, Cottrell removed the dangerous Kohli and send half the Indian batting back to the hut. Paul cleaned up Krunal Pandya with eight runs needed. Sundar smacked Paul into the stands to eventually pull the curtains down on the game as India chased the target in 17.2 overs.

Here is how Twitter lauded India for their performance