India held their nerve to beat West Indies by four wickets in the first T20I encounter. Chasing 96 for victory, India kept on losing wickets at regular intervals but eventually managed to reach the target with 16 balls to spare in the 1st match of the three-match series in Lauderhill, USA today. Rohit Sharma was the top scorer with 24 while Virat Kohli scored 20. Earlier, put into bat, Caribbeans made 95 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
Navdeep Saini starred on his senior international debut with three important wickets. Having already enjoyed success with the Indian “A” team currently on tour of the Caribbean, Saini made an immediate impact wearing his country’s colours at the highest level in claiming three for 17 off his four overs, including top-scorer Kieron Pollard who fell in the final over of the innings for 49.
He achieved the rarity of a maiden in the final over but it was his earlier double-strike which gave the 26-year-old fast bowler the sort of dream start he would have wished for after captain Virat Kohli chose to bowl first after winning the toss.