Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal. Credits: BCCI

The Indian team belted the Windies by six wickets in the opening T20 international at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Amongst the several records sent tumbling in the first game, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came at par with Ravichandran Ashwin’s record of most wickets by an Indian in the shortest format.

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The leg-spinner from Haryana achieved this landmark by taking two wickets in four overs for 36 runs during the first T20I. In this process, the 29-year old reached 52 wickets, which is the joint-highest for most wickets along with Ashwin for India. While Chahal recorded this milestone only in his 35th T20 international, Ravichandran Ashwin took 46 games to get to the same.

Yuzvendra Chahal Equals Ravichandran Ashwin's Record Of Most Wickets In T20s For India
Yuzvendra Chahal. Credit: BCCI

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The men from the Caribbean Islands were striking at more than 10 per over for the most of the innings after a flying start. Yuzvendra Chahal provided two significant breakthroughs in the 18th over of the first innings, sending back Shimron Hetmyer and skipper Kieron Pollard. The two batsmen were decimating the bowlers with Pollard receiving multiple lifelines due to a sloppy display from the Indian fieldsmen.  Hetmyer perished for 56 after holing out to Rohit Sharma at deep backward square after ending a stand of 71 off 42 with the captain.

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One delivery later, Pollard was deceived by the googly that uprooted his leg-stump. From 172 for 3, Windies were reduced to 173 for 5. Jason Holder and Denesh Ramdin applied the finishing touches to propel the tourists to a compelling 207 in their 20 overs. They scored a staggering 63 off the last five overs. On the field, Rohit Sharma and Washington Sundar had misfielded a couple of times, allowing them to pounce on the hosts further.

Virat Kohli reigns supreme in another chase:

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli plays a masterclass to lead India to win. Credit: BCCI

Meanwhile, skipper Virat Kohli’s imperious innings of 94 off 50 balls helped the Men in Blues chase down a total of 208 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against the visitors. The total proved to be India’s highest chase in the shortest format. KL Rahul assisted him with a breezy knock of 62 and shared a stand of 100 after Rohit Sharma departed early. The two sides now head to Thiruvananthapuram for the second T20 international on Sunday.

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