West Indies got absolutely wrapped up for 171 runs in just 19.1 overs tonight, marking a rough start to their five-match T20I series against hosts India. After losing the ODI series 2-1, West Indies was looking for revenge, but India’s bowling attack, especially the spin duo, made sure that wasn’t happening in the first T20I.
Spin Tandem Rips Through West Indies’ Middle Order
Things started chaotic for the West Indies, who were asked to bat first after India won the toss. Shai Hope, fresh off 278 runs in the recent ODI series, tried to get them going early, blasting 16 runs off Mayank Yadav’s opening over. But the Powerplay quickly derailed, leaving them at 44/3 after six overs. Arshdeep Singh broke the 36-run opening stand by bowling debutant Kamil Pooran, who managed 12. Then, Axar Patel absolutely turned the game on its head with a double-wicket maiden in the sixth over, sending both Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell back to the dugout. Hope (25*) was still out there, but the damage was done.
A Debutant’s Dream and Hope’s Half-Century Gone in a Flash
Hope and Sherfane Rutherford did their best to stabilize things after the early chaos, stitching together an unbroken 38-run stand off 26 deliveries to bring the score to 82/3 at the halfway point, with Hope on 41 and Rutherford on 18. But the wheels fell off hard between overs 11 and 15. India’s spin tandem executed a ruthless 4/27 collapse, leaving West Indies reeling at 127/7. Shai Hope brought up a fighting 36-ball fifty, but then became debutant Naman Dhir’s maiden T20I wicket! Dhir and Kuldeep Yadav, who finished with 2/33, then ripped through the middle order, taking out Roston Chase (5), Romario Shepherd (7), and Matthew Forde (2). What a momentum swing.
Rutherford’s Last Stand as India Closes It Out
Even with the collapse, Sherfane Rutherford wasn’t giving up without a fight. He hammered a flurry of boundaries alongside Akeal Hosein (15), bringing up a gritty half-century off just 31 balls. That 36-run partnership briefly sparked hopes of hitting over 180, but Mayank Yadav eventually broke it, removing Rutherford for 56. Axar Patel, having already dominated the Powerplay, needed just a single delivery in the 20th over to pick up Hosein and close out the West Indies innings completely at 171 all out. India’s bowlers were on fire.
This was just the first of a five-match T20I series. West Indies has to shake this off quick, because India just sent a massive message. Next up, they play again in a few days, and West Indies will be desperate to even things up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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