Dinesh Karthik is the Player of the Match:
The wicket was a little sticky. Was not a good wicket to start on but once set, you got the pace of the wicket and you realised what kind of shots you can play. [On the finisher’s role] I have been enjoying it a lot. it is a very interesting role. It is not something that you can be very consistent with but on the days, you can make an impact on the team. You need the backing of the captain and coach and I have got that in abundance. [Things to do to be successful in finishing off the innings] Assessing the wicket is important. On any given day, in the last three-four overs that you bat, you need to be aware of a lot of things such as the shape of the ball, the softness of the ball, and the wicket, and then you need to decide These are a few things and that comes with a little bit of practice.
Nicholas Pooran:
Disappointed as a team. The crowd here has been absolutely amazing and we have disappointed them. The players have been feeling very hurt but this is the first game of the T20 series and we will look to bounce back. [On being forced to have five fielders inside the circle in the last two overs] Yes, it was. In 18 overs, it was 150, we were indisciplined and we paid the price and the guys know that. 190 was always going to be challenging. We got a good start but the batters did not carry on. We lost wickets every time we had some momentum and that cost us. We had already lost four wickets in the first ten overs and that cost us the game. [On the decision to include just one spinner] In hindsight when you look at it the spinners did bowl well. Our mindset was to restrict them to 170-180, with the extra allrounder, we would have been able to chase it.
Rohit Sharma:
The shot making was not easy at the start. The guys who are set needed to carry on. There was some grip for the spinners. The nature of the pitch was slow. The way we finished off the first innings, 190 was great. We hung in there and got more than a par score. We want to try certain things when we bat in the first six overs when we bat in the middle and at the end. There are certain facets that we want to improve and the players are given a job. We have to try the ideas and want to execute the skills. We want to try and do certain things and I think we are able to achieve certain things. The Indian team has received very good support here in West Indies and we want to provide them with entertaining cricket.
India vs West Indies 1st T20I Highlights today, Friday 29-7-2022. 1st T20I, India tour of West Indies from Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
WI won the toss and will bowl first.
Rohit Sharma: Ready to go, good to have some time off. Important considering how many games we play. Very exciting to get back. Looks like good ground, this is the first international game here, good to see the fans around. The facility looks and let’s see how the wicket plays. From the ODI series, we have a few additions. Guys like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are back in.
Nicholas Pooran: There is something in the wicket, but the wind will be a factor. We are looking for a change in the result. We enjoy this format, the Caribbean boys want to entertain and we are looking forward for today. Alzarri Joseph is making his debut and Hetmyer is back on the team.
India team: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Rishabh Pant (wk), 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Hardik Pandya (vice-capt), 6 Dinesh Karthik, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Ravi Bishnoi, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 R Ashwin, 11 Arshdeep Singh.
West Indies team: 1 Shamarh Brooks, 2 Shimron Hetmyer, 3 Odean Smith, 4 Kyle Mayers, 5 Keemo Paul, 6 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 7 Rovman Powell, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Obed McCoy, 10 Akeal Hosein,11 Alzarri Joseph.
Head to Head In T20I’s: 20
India Won: 13
West Indies Won: 6
Match Timings: 14:30 GMT | 10:30 Local
Umpires – Leslie Reifer, Nigel Duguid
TV Umpires – Gregory Brathwaite
Match Referee – Richie Richardson
Reserve Umpire – Patrick Gustard
Match number – T20I no. 1700
