Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles plunder India

Chris Gayle turned up injured and could not play, but Johnson Charles at first, and then Evin lewis, made sure the powerful Jamaican, owner of cricket's most destructive blade was not really missed. The St. Lucian, playing in his 30th T20I began like a rocket. The day's second, third and sixth legal deliveries, bowled by Mohammad Shami were struck for six, four and four respectively.


Sent in to bat by MS Dhoni, West Indies raced away to 24 in the first two overs, with Charles scoring 21 off nine deliveries. His opening partner Lewis soon joined the fun, but Charles remained the main protagonist, his foot planted firmly on the accelerator.

At the end of the powerplay, West Indies reached 78 for no wicket, with Charles cruising on 51 after striking Ravichandran Ashwin for two sixes in his first over. But if India thought the end of the power-play overs would offer any respite, they were made to think again. Lewis had now fully hit his stride and greeted Ravindra Jadeja's two first deliveries with mighty hits for six to continue the onslaught.

But just when it appeared that neither batsman would get out and the West Indies would make a million, Charles got out, bowled by Shami off an inside edge as he tried to play a low full-toss on offstump through the leg side. It seemed a wasted opportunity with an easy century in the offing. Still, his 79 from 33 deliveries was well made.

At the half-way mark, West Indies were 132 for 1, with Lewis bringing up his 50 off 25 balls. The batsman took his hitting to the next level, when he carted five sixes off Stuart Binny in the 11th over, collecting 32 off it. The Trinidadian, playing only his second T20I, reached his maiden century, fourth fastest overall, with a single off Jadeja.

Andre Russell, who walked at No. 3, added to India's woes but couldn't do too much damage, falling for a 12-ball 22. West Indies rearranged the batting order trying to capitalise on the belligerent start, and sent Pollard in next, but he too fell for 22, bowled by Bumrah. Carlos Brathwaite was run out for 14, Simmons was bowled by Bumrah without scoring, while Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo powered West Indies to 246 for 6 in 20 overs.