Manchester (UK), June 28 (ANI): India decimated West Indies by a massive margin of 125 runs in Manchester. Responding to India’s 268, the West Indies team went back to pavilion in 34.2 overs. Fans cheered India’s winning spree outside stadium. India will face hosts England next on June 30.
While speaking to ANI, one of Indian Cricket fans said, “Today’s win for India is incredible, players played very well.” Another fan said, “Dhoni and Pandya played very well and bowlers also did their jobs.”
It may be mentioned that chasing a target of 269 runs, West Indies had a poor start as opener Chris Gayle got out early, in the fifth over, after scoring just six runs. Mohammed Shami provided India with their first breakthrough.
In his next over, Shami struck again as he got hold of Shai Hope (5). Opener Sunil Ambris was then joined by Nicholas Pooran and both played steadily.
After losing two quick wickets, the on-field batsmen tried their best to shrug off the pressure put by Indian bowlers. Both kept the scoreboard running and formed a 55-run partnership. However, despite playing with caution, Ambris (31) was LBW in the 18th over, bowled by Hardik Pandya.
Soon after Ambris’ dismissal, Pooran too was sent back to the pavilion by spinner Kuldeep Yadav which halted his 28-run inning. Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder (6) then took the field but their partnership also did not last long as the latter lost his wicket to Yuzvendra Chahal.
With this, half of the West Indies batting line-up was sent back to the pavilion when they had just 98 runs on the board after 24 overs.
Carlos Brathwaite then came out to bat along with Hetmyer. In the 27th over, Jasprit Bumrah came out furiously as he took two wickets, Brathwaite (1) and Fabian Allen (0), on the first two deliveries of the over. After taking wickets, Bumrah continued to bowl a maiden over.
Hetmyer was then accompanied by Kemar Roach on the field. However, fall of wicket did not stop as, in the 29th over, Hetmyer (18) too got out as he became a victim of Shami.
Sheldon Cottrell then took the charge and played fearlessly as he hammered a boundary and a massive six to Yuzvendra Chahal in the 30th over. However, Chahal made a scintillating comeback as he got hold of Cottrell (10) in the same over.
Oshane Thomas then came out to bat and joined on-field batter, Roach (14*). West Indies had just one wicket in hand and needed 145 runs from 20 overs. Shami bowled the 35th over and sent Thomas back to the pavilion and handed India a massive 125-run victory.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]