ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Final
West Indies Vs India Played at Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai in India on March 31, 2016
West Indies 196/3 (LMP Simmons 82*, J Charles 52, AD Russell 42*) beat India 192/2 (V Kohli 89*, RG Sharma 43, AM Rahane 40) by 7 Wickets.
Player of the Match: LMP Simmons (West Indies)
DHAKA: Resurging West Indies reduced the favorite India to mere spectators of T20 World Cup Final in their own backward. In a high scoring stroke-filled melodrama, Red Devils shocked the Men in Blues by 7 wickets at Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai. Power stroke playing West Indies muscled India out of the tournament despite their impact players, Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, failing on the day.
Sammy thought it wise letting India bat after calling the coins correctly. He thought of chasing as he was not sure what target would be enough for India. Batting is the forte of the Caribbean with so many power hitters. India riding on brilliant Virat Kohli raced to 192/2 in their allotted overs. In the eventful chase West Indies knocked Indians out of the tournament breaking many hearts and winning many more.
In such a chase Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels are considered major weapons. The two batting giants, however, failed on the day. But two unlikely heroes Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell shouldered the team ashore. Cricket admirers enjoyed another T20 match filled with excitements and tension as 55 runs were scored by the Caribbean pair in the last five overs. West Indies stormed into the final.
Dhoni and his men will be mere spectators at Eden Gardens in Kolkata of India where Sammy or Morgan will lift the trophy. The team that lost to Afghanistan other day failing to chase a paltry score in a match of insignificance successfully chased a huge target when it mattered.
Wankhede wicket had runs. Quality Indian batting line up exploited. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane sailed smoothly in their opening partnership of 62-run in 7.2 overs announcing the possibility of a huge score. Arguably the best batsman on show in shorter format of Cricket now Virat played yet another superlative innings characterized with eye pleasing strokes. His brilliant unbeaten innings of 89-run off 47-ball powered India to 192/2 which at innings break looked enough.
West Indies bowling looked ordinary. They just managed to keep Indians below 200. But the target of 193 looked extremely challenging when two proven power hitters redoubtable Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels were consumed by the third over with only 19 on board. Charles and Simmons kept the innings going definitely not the manner that Gayle would have done if not cleaned up by Bumrah early. Billion Indians were getting ready for party. In a huge chase loss of power hitter like Gayle early could demoralize any team. West Indies could still have faith as they possess so many power hitters.
Lady luck also favored them on the day. Simmons could be out twice but he survived. Not that the fielders let the catches floored. R Ashwin had him caught at short third man in the seventh over, but had also overstepped. In the 15th, Hardik Pandya had him caught at extra cover but his front foot had strayed as well.
West Indies required scoring 55 runs off the last 5 overs. Very brave Caribbean supporters would have put their money on them at that stage. West Indians striking with brute force kept their team in the hunt. Balls started floating over and across. Simmons and Russell added 80 runs in 39 balls in a thrilling unbroken fourth wicket partnership knocking out favorites.
Simmons struck seven 4’s and five 6’s in his unbeaten 82 runs off 51-ball while Russell’s innings of 43 off only 20 featured three 4’s and four 6’s. In the last over the same tension packed nerve wrecking situation like Bangladesh Vs India match was created. This time West Indies did not throw the towel. Indians were not second time lucky.
Apart from two escapes of Simmons from two front foot no balls, there was an incident of catch getting disapproved from Kohli just touching the ropes with his feet. Almost same incident happed in ICC World Cup match between India and Bangladesh at MCG when the verdict favored India. Cricket is a cruel leveler.
West Indies always play cricket to entertain their admirers. They play with less pressure and less expectation. Yesterday (March 31) in two different venues their men and women’s team won the semi-finals and moved into the final. World Cricket will welcome if Caribbean in both the final continue playing entertaining cricket.
BDST: 0949 HRS, APR 01, 2016
SR
