1st T20I: Navdeep Saini makes dream debut, India restrict West Indies to 95/9
Navdeep Saini made dream debut pocketing three wickets as India restricted West Indies to paltry 95/9 in the series-opening three-match Twenty20 Internationals at Lauderhill in Florida on Saturday. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up a couple as India’s new-ball bowlers went on a rampage.
Opting to field on a damp pitch, Washington Sundar struck in the opening over. John Campbell got down on his knees and went for slog-sweep, but it landed straight at deep mid-wicket where Krunal Pandya made no mistake to complete the catch.
Bhuvi then gave Campbell’s opening partner Evin Lewis marching orders after cleaning up the southpaw for nought.
It took only four balls for Saini to get his maiden international cricket after Nicholas Pooran hurried onto a shot, but it ended up clipping the top edge going a long way up in the air and ending into the gloves of Rishabh Pant, the only ’keeper in the squad after MS Dhoni announced his intention to serve in the Army for two months.
LIVE, India vs West Indies, 1st T20I
In the same over – the fifth of the innings – Saini cleaned up the flamboyant Shimron Hetmyer for a golden duck, but missed his hat-trick after Rovman Powell left a fuller length which was wide of the off stump.
Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed joined the party removing Powell for 4 as Windies lost half their side inside the first Powerplay.
Captain Carlos Brathwaite and Kieron Pollard tried to stall the flurry of wickets, but hardly managed a reargued effort. Replacing his younger brother Hardik Pandya, Krunal ended the short 34-run partnership between the two senior pros of the team sending the skipper, who departed after an arduous 9 off 24 balls.
Ravindra Jadeja, who also found himself in the line-up after dazzling show in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand, sent Sunil Narine for just 2.
LIVE SCORECARD: India vs West Indies, 1st T20I
Saini did receive a little T20 treatment in the 18th over. After missing his length totally, Pollard grabbed the opportunity and smoked a huge hit over deep mid-wicket. However, in the final over of the innings, Saini trapped the big allrounder after he missed a full toss that was aimed directly at the stumps. He also finished it with a maiden in what was a memorable bowling display for the 26-year-old.
West Indies had something to smile about after Pollard fell one run short of a half-century in what was the only bright spot in an otherwise pretty ordinary display.
Saini returned with exceptional figures of 3/17 in his four overs, while Bhuvi finished with 2/19.
Brief scores: West Indies 95/9 (Kieron Pollard 49; Navdeep Saini 3/17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/19) versus India