West Indies vs India, 1st T20I at Tarouba, WI v IND, Aug 03 2023 - Match Result

A thriller to start the series. The game pretty much went up and down during India's innings, before settling in West Indies' hands off the last ball. Deiva Muthu's report is up, where he describes how Holder and co did what they did, as we bid you goodbye from Tarouba. Join us for the second T20I on Sunday. Until then, take care!

Rovman Powell, the winning captain: "It's a very good feeling. We talked about starting the series on a positive note, and we did that today... After watching the Indians bowl, I was thinking if we were a spinner short. But the fast bowlers bowled into the wicket. It was difficult to bat, it was always going to be a good powerplay and a slowdown in the middle. This series will be decided how the West Indian batters play spin in the middle overs... it makes the left-hand batters very important. All the overs that Holder bowled were fantastic. At the interval, he told us to [take] pace off."

Hardik Pandya speaks now: "We were right in the chase. We made some errors which cost us, but it is fine. A young team will make mistakes. Throughout the game, we were in control. I have always believed that in T20 cricket, if you lose wickets, it becomes difficult to chase down a total. When we lost a couple of wickets [in a row]... it cost us. The bowling combination [of three spinners] was down to the conditions. We wanted Yuzi and Kuldeep to play together, and Axar brings batting. For Mukesh to have these two weeks and make his debut was fantastic. Very pleasing to see the way Tilak started his innings."

Jason Holder is the Player of the Match for his 2 for 19: "The amount of cricket I have been playing for the last three years is a lot. So the break [from ODIs] was well needed... We made them work hard for their runs. I guess the double-wicket maiden was a turning point. The conditions dictated our total. Pleased with the guys. With the quality side that India is, you always think they will chase that... We always wanted early wickets, and put the pressure back on them."

Time for the presentations

Chandan: "So 4 wides from Arshdeep in 19th over remains the difference between the two sides"

Ibrahim: "From nowhere, WI have stunned India. Incredible"

Ashish: "Arshdeep should be given full marks for trying that second."

2.21pm So West Indies win on what was a slow pitch, and go 1-0 up in the five-match series. They started well with the bat, then slowed down to finish on what seemed like a below-par total. But then they began nicely with the ball, before the debutant Tilak hit back with an attacking innings. And once he was gone, it was only a dream that was left when Arshdeep got two late boundaries. Holder bowled four overs for 2 for 19, including a double-wicket maiden. Hang around for the presentations.

Debutant Mukesh has to hit a six for a win

7 off 3

Back around to the left-hander

Kunal: "Super Over, dare I say?"

Chahal will take strike. Shepherd from over the wicket.

Shepherd will bowl the last over, but not before a discussion with Powell and Holder. Around the wicket.

Okay, India need 10. West Indies are allowed only four on the boundary. Beware of outside and inside edges here.

11 off 7

Lakesidey: "Arshdeep and Kuldeep taking it deep... but India in deep trouble!" --- That's quite a deep observation

Arshdeep

"Holder is my Man of the Match!" --- Hang on just yet, Malli

India 21 away now. Here comes McCoy in what could be the make-or-break over. But, but... West Indies are penalised for slow over rate, with only four fielders allowed on the rope.

The required rate is now 12

Elsewhere, the Indian men's hockey team began their Asian Champions Trophy campaign in Chennai with an emphatic 7-2 win over China. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh starred with a brace, as did Varun Kumar. More on that here.

Required rate now 10.42