India beat the Windies by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. In the tricky run-chase of 110, the Indian team stuttered as the tourists were kept taking wickets at regular intervals, not allowing the hosts to settle down. However, a 38-run partnership between Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey steadied the Indian innings in the middle overs as they edged nearer to victory. After Manish Pandey’s dismissal, Karthik and debutant Krunal Pandya stitched together an unbeaten 27-run partnership to help India win the tie.
“Going down the order, I wanted to just absorb the pressure and try to help the team win, that’s my role,”Karthik said post-match.
“As a senior player, I keep telling myself, need to absorb pressure, but at the same time play positive cricket, make sure I bat through and take on the bowlers. Didn’t need to bat at a 150 strike-rate in this game,” Karthik added.
“It’s a good wicket, there’s a lot for the bowlers. This is good to bat on too, but there’s always something for the bowlers,” Karthik remarked.
