India drew the first blood against the West Indies in the first T20I at Hyderabad as the hosts won by six wickets and pulled off their highest chase in the T20I format. The Indian captain Virat Kohli played a brilliant knock of 94 runs to help his team get over the line. In fact, Kohli struggled to time the ball in the initial phase as he tried to go hard at the ball. However, Kohli was able to get his timing right in the second phase and scored a fine knock. The talisman scored six sixes and as many fours in his innings.
On the other hand, KL Rahul played a fine knock of 62 runs as he batted at the top of his game. The flamboyant took 40 balls to score his runs with the help of five fours and four sixes. Kohli and Rahul added 100 runs for the second wicket alliance.
Kohli was at his best in the second phase of his innings.
Earlier in the day, the Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bowl first. The West Indies lost their first wicket early as Deepak Chahar struck on his second ball. However, Evin Lewis played with the long handle and took the attack against the Indian bowlers. The southpaw played some impressive pull shots and scored a quickfire knock of 40 runs.
Subsequently, Shimron Hetmyer was able to hit the ground running and scored runs freely. The southpaw batsman scored his maiden T20I half-century whereas the West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard scored a quickfire knock 37 runs.
The Windies former skipper Jason Holder added the finishing touches as he smashed 9-ball 24 to help the visitors post a par score of 207 runs.
On the other hand, Deepak Chahar took a hammering as he conceded 56 runs for his four overs. Yuzvendra Chahal scalped two wickets whereas Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, and Washington Sundar took one wicket each.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s win:
Saw some seriously delicious hitting today…and still if you walk away playing the best knock, you’re super special. Super V. Passion. Aggression. #Legend #IndvWI @StarSportsIndia
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2019
Maybe not one of the most fluent n that makes this knock that much more special. One of the best I've seen Virat bat ??? #INDvsWI
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 6, 2019
Virat Kohli’s innings tonight……
First 20 balls: 20 runs (SR 100.00)
Next 20 balls: 47 runs (SR 235.00)
Next 10 balls: 27 runs (SR 270.00)#INDvWI #INDvsWI— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 6, 2019
India have become the first team to successfully chase down THREE 200+ targets in T20Is. #IndvWI
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 6, 2019
What a sensational chase by #Kohli. Didn't time the ball when he began the innings but wowed everyone with his effortless timing at later stages. BUT…India always chased big, and chased well. Problem is setting a total and defending it. #INDvsWI #TeamIndia
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) December 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShayanAcharya/status/1202997086159020034?s=20
He did this on a day where 80% off it was an off day. Gulp. How good is he?
— Aaditya Narayan (@AadityaN_28) December 6, 2019
Was worth coming to Hyderabad to watch this Virat special. Top hand and bottom, off side and leg, drive and pull….everything. And those two sixes! The bottom handed over mid-wicket and the last one over cover. Breathtaking!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2019
Inka time nahi, #ViratKohli ka yeh daur hai. Highest successful run chase for Team India and what a way to do it. Good contributions from KL Rahul and a good cameo from Pant. #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/k0psdLQq64
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 6, 2019
Virat's highest scores in ODIs (183) and T20Is (94* tonight) have both come in a chase – another testimony of the fact how much does he like a challenge!#INDvWI #INDvsWI
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 6, 2019
Kohli.
Chase.
Repeat.? for a reason.#INDvsWI
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 6, 2019
kohli has played outstanding innings against the red, pink and white ball this home season #INDvsWI
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 6, 2019
Amazing. Just amazing, @imVkohli
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) December 6, 2019
Virat Kohli, first 25 balls – 26 runs.
Next 25 balls – 68 runs.The acceleration, the sudden rhythm in batting, the bottom hand flick for six, those shots over cover…. oooof. #INDvsWI
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) December 6, 2019
India’s highest chase in T20 internationals .A masterclass from Virat Kohli , made to look so easy and finishing the job. Grwat contribution from KL Rahul in setting the platform. Congratulations Team India #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/YHZP0rzuTC
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 6, 2019