Naman Dhir marked his T20I debut in style, becoming only the third Indian spinner to claim three wickets on debut as India bowled West Indies out for 171 in 19.1 overs in the first T20I in Lucknow on Tuesday. The 25-year-old joined Pragyan Ojha and Axar Patel in an elite list of Indian spinners to take three or more wickets in their first T20I.
IND vs WI, 1st T20I: Updates | Scorecard
Dhir finished with figures of 3/31 from his four overs, playing a key role in India’s fightback after West Indies made a brisk start following Shreyas Iyer’s decision to bowl first.
India spinners with three wickets on T20I debut
- 4/21 – Pragyan Ojha vs BAN, Trent Bridge, 2009
- 3/17 – Axar Patel vs ZIM, Harare, 2015
- 3/31 – Naman Dhir vs WI, Lucknow, 2026
West Indies began positively, with captain Shai Hope continuing his fine form from the ODI series. He put pressure on the Indian bowlers from the outset and found a useful partner in debutant Kamil Pooran.
Pooran made 12 off 11 balls before chopping an Arshdeep Singh delivery back onto his stumps, but Hope continued to keep the scoring rate healthy.
India then turned the momentum around in the final over of the powerplay. Shimron Hetmyer was run out for five before Axar Patel struck with the ball, bowling Rovman Powell for a three-ball duck.
West Indies were 44/3 at the end of the powerplay and needed a partnership to rebuild their innings. Hope and Sherfane Rutherford provided exactly that, putting together 63 runs to steady the visitors.
Hope brought up his fifty from 36 balls and appeared set to take West Indies deep into the innings. However, he fell for 52 on the very next delivery, holing out in the deep.
The dismissal opened the door for India to tighten their grip. Roston Chase made just five before departing, while Dhir then got into the wickets column by removing Romario Shepherd for seven.
Matthew Forde followed for two, leaving West Indies at 124/7 in the 15th over. India had picked up four wickets for 28 runs in the middle phase and were firmly in control.
Rutherford, though, refused to let the innings completely unravel. With wickets falling at the other end, he took responsibility for the scoring and found some support from Akeal Hosein.
The pair added 36 runs, with Rutherford taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. He brought up a well-made 56 off 34 balls before finally falling in the 19th over.
Hosein made 15 before becoming the final wicket to fall as West Indies were bowled out for 171 in 19.1 overs. They could not complete their 20 overs, but Rutherford’s counter-attacking knock gave them a total they could still defend if they bowled well.
India’s bowling effort was evenly shared, with all five bowlers used by Iyer picking up at least one wicket. Axar finished with 2/26 and Kuldeep Yadav took 2/33, while Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav claimed one wicket apiece.
Dhir’s contribution stood out on a surface that appeared to offer plenty for the batters. He bowled with control through his four-over spell and struck at important moments to prevent West Indies from building another partnership after Hope’s dismissal.
Axar’s early breakthrough and Kuldeep’s control through the middle overs ensured West Indies were never able to fully recover from their powerplay setback. Even Rutherford’s late charge could only take them to 171.
India will now need 172 to win the opening match of the series, with their batting line-up walking out on a pitch that has looked good for stroke-making.
– Ends
Source link
[ad_3]
