The return of skipper Virat Kohli to the Indian squad was a massive boost for India, ahead of T20I series against West Indies. He once again fulfilled the expectations of the team and the nation by scoring a breath-taking knock of 94 from only 50 balls. The knock comprised of six cosmic sixes and six sublime boundaries in the first T20I of the series. This knock is the finest example of the quality of one of the greatest players to play this game. The evolution of this innings was fascinating for the cricket fans and experts.
As India started chasing the king-size target of 208, Rohit looked a bit rusty. He could manage only eight off ten balls, before getting caught off a delivery by Kharry Pierre. KL Rahul playing in the eleven after a long time, started with a bang, while the skipper lagged behind in his strike rate. With pressure mounting on KL Rahul, Virat tried to play many cross-batted shots with power but it didn’t help him much.
They amassed 100 runs together off 61 balls before Rahul tried to hit Khary Pierre out of the ground. The ball eventually landed in the hands of Kieron Pollard, as he walked off towards the pavilion. From there it was Virat Kohli who took control of the entire chase, as he smashed 94 off 50 balls. Rishab Pant, who started with a six on the first ball could only score 18 runs off nine balls. He once squandered his opportunity, as he got out to Sheldon Cottrell. Cottrell enthralled the crowd with his intense salute.
Then it was WI skipper Kieron Pollard who took a mind-boggling catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer, as he walked off managing just four off six balls. However, Kohli carried on his splendid and elegant onslaught of the West Indies’ bowlers. Often Virat Kohli and Kesrick Williams had a go at each other, with funny celebrations and expressions. Many times Williams came in the road of the batsmen while running between the wickets, which Kohli didn’t like at all. Kohli gave it all back with his funny “Notebook” celebration, which Williams had done during the last time when the two teams met.
In the end, it was Indian skipper Virat Kohli who smashed an amazing six to settle the game, as India pulled off their highest successful run chase in a T20 international. They beat the Windies by six wickets in the first match of their three-match series. Kohli finished the game with 94 off 50 balls; six runs shy of a perfect century, as he won the much-deserved MVP award.
Yuzi ended the night on a personal high by equalling Ashwin's record of most T20I wickets taken by an Indian. Both bowlers now have a tally of 5⃣2⃣ wickets 🙏🏽#PlayBold #INDvsWI
Photo credits: @BCCI pic.twitter.com/Mb8yx2S2VL
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) December 7, 2019
The first innings saw India winning the toss, as skipper Kohli opted to bowl first. West Indies started with a bang and were given a positive start by Ewin Lewis. He plundered 40 runs off just 17 balls to give West Indies a great start.
After Lewis got out to Washington Sundar (LBW), Shimron Hetmyer took responsibility and hit a quick-fire 56 off 41 balls comprising of two boundaries and four sixes. Skipper Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder blazed 37 off 19 balls and 24 off just nine balls respectively to conclude the first innings as West Indies posted a total of 207 runs.
