West Indies slipped to a five-wicket defeat to India in the opening Twenty20 International on Saturday night.
Defending a paltry 109 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, West Indies were in the contest after reducing India to 45 for four in the eight over, as debutant fast bowler Oshane Thomas produced a fiery spell to unsettle the top order.
But India steadied themselves through a five-wicket partnership between Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey, to get over the line with 13 balls remaining and extend West Indies’ misery on the tour.
Karthik top-scored with an unbeaten 31 off 44 deliveries while debutant Krunal Pandey chipped in with 21 not out off nine balls, to give India their 12th victory in the last 15 Twenty20 Internationals for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Thomas, 21, who made his international debut in the just concluded one-day series, shone brightly with two for 21 from four overs, which included 17 dot balls, while Captain Carlos Braithwaite was outstanding with two for 11 from his four overs.
West Indies had earlier collapsed to finish on 109 for eight off their 20 overs — their lowest-ever total against India and their eight lowest overall.
All-rounder Fabian Allen on debut, top-scored with 27 from 20 balls but he was the only one to pass 20.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav continued his excellent run on the tour, claiming three for 13 from his four overs, as West Indies lost wickets from the outset and never recovered.
