Twitter Reactions: Carnage at the Wankhede as India beat the spirited West Indies to win the series

India have finally won a T20I series this year. And what made the win sweeter that they batted first and scored enough for their bowlers to defend the total at the Wankhede stadium. It was an absolute run-fest as a total of 413 runs were scored in 40 overs with 31 fours and 28 sixes and only 11 wickets fell. The spirited Caribbeans didn’t lose heart until the end and put up a fighting display only to come second.

West Indies‘ decision to bowl first spurred India up as they posted 240 runs on the board. But the visitors backed themselves to chase it. However, they got off to a horrendous start losing three wickets for just 17 runs on the board. Any other team would’ve given up there itself. But not the Men in Maroon. Shimron Hetmyer and Kieron Pollard stitched an excellent partnership to put the exhibition of power-hitting.

Hetmyer took the initiative first up while Pollard played second fiddle to him. The duo added 74 runs off just 38 deliveries but the former got out to a harmless full toss from Kuldeep Yadav. Jason Holder didn’t do much either and the onus, in the end, fell on Pollard who loves to lead from the front. With Hayden Walsh at the other end, he started to refuse the singles and literally hammered the ball like anything.

It was sixes and fours or nothing from him and single-handedly kept India on the tenterhooks until the 15th over of the chase. Pollard smacked 68 runs off just 39 balls but a mistimed pull shot off Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought his innings to an end and with it, ended a glimmer of hope for the West Indies. India sealed the series as they restricted the Caribbeans to just 173 runs for the loss of eight wickets and a memorable series came to an end.

Rohit, Rahul, Virat pummel West Indies as India post 240

After West Indies opted to bowl first, Indian batsmen cleared their intent from the word. It was literally a race between Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to hit sixes. The Men in Blue knew that they had to post something out of West Indies reach in order to defend at the Wankhede. The jam-packed crowd, as a result, witnessed some majestic hitting from the opening duo.

Both of them played some eye-catching strokes to leave the fans in awe and of all of them, KL Rahul wristy whack on the leg-side which went for four topped the list. Meanwhile, Rohit got injured while running and it was only stand and deliver stuff from him since then. He was exceptional as well with India getting a superb start of 135 runs for the first wicket in just 70 balls. Rohit got out after scoring 71 runs off just 34 deliveries.

Rishabh Pant was promoted to number three to make full use of the start. But the southpaw wasted yet another opportunity to score runs and bagged a second-ball duck. Virat Kohli then walked in at four and what followed was absolute carnage in Mumbai. The Indian captain brought some outrageous strokes off his book even as Rahul slowed down a bit late in the innings.

However, nothing was stopping Kohli though as he raced away to a 21-ball half-century. He finished the innings with a six straight down the ground as India finished strongly on 240/3 after 20 overs. Kohli remained unbeaten on 70 off just 29 balls with four fours and seven sixes while KL Rahul missed out on a well-deserved ton getting out on 91 off 56 balls (9 fours and four sixes).

The score eventually proved enough for the hosts to win the series even though West Indies, at one stage, looked interesting in chasing down the total with the way their Kieron Pollard was hitting maximums at will.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

That was quite some hitting from the men in blue. The pitch is a belter and this should be a thrilling contest #IndvWI pic.twitter.com/UENIBny7u6

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 11, 2019

That was an absolute run fest with some outrageous hitting from Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat . Over to the bowlers to defend 240 and win the series #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/EGv1tKJwgi

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 11, 2019

Kohli is Outrageous, in a league of his own. He can adapt to any format and don't think anyone else comes even remotely closer across formats. To call it colloquially this is pure #Verithanam from the Men in blue #INDvWI

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) December 11, 2019

Indian T20 cricket came of age tonight. Batting first & getting 240. Must thank WI for that, India knew they had to get plenty.#INDvWI

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 11, 2019

Fine series win for India. Great intensity shown in batting to post that big score. Deep desire to win unmistakable. Congrats Kohli & Co

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 11, 2019

A big victory at Wankhede!

India win by 67 runs in Mumbai 😍#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #INDvWI

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 11, 2019

Despite a big score in their own right, West Indies fall short of the massive target set by #TeamIndia.
2-1 for India, and the T20I series is wrapped.#INDvsWI #PlayBold

— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 11, 2019

VICTORY for #TeamIndia! 🧡

🇮🇳 win by 67 runs to seal the T20I series 2-1 💪#INDvWI #OrangeArmy #RiseWithUs

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 11, 2019

Absolutely delighted with the way @klrahul11 player this series. Please don’t forget he is a good enough keeper in this format and keeps wickets in domestic cricket. Opens up a huge option.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 11, 2019

WI look very disappointed when shaking hands,they look Serious, Determined now,which is v good,Strong WI is a good thing for World Cricket.Pollard as Captain is ideal.WI were handicapped as Evin Lewis was injured,he could have provided the momentum & impetus in the chase.#INDvWI

— Rishabh Wadhwa (@Cric_Rishabh) December 11, 2019

Game, set, and match for #TeamIndia! 🙌

The #MenInBlue beat the #MenInMaroon by 67 runs in the 3rd T20I to bag the series!#INDvWI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 11, 2019

Well done #TeamIndia 1st time India batted with T20 tempo Rahul Rohit Virat were exceptional 🔥🔥🔥 #INDvWI

— Aman Kamboj (@BeingCriCrazy) December 11, 2019

@BCCI. Hope the selectors show the door to Pant and bring in DK. #INDvWI #INDvsWI

— Soma (@Visalmama) December 11, 2019

Congratulations #TeamIndia !!
Sealed the T20 series 2-1 !! #INDvWI

— Winston John (@winston_john_07) December 11, 2019

In the end a big win for #TeamIndia destroying the opposition here at #Mumbai ..!! #ViratKohli innings turning out 2 be the difference btw the 2 teams winning the match n series as well ! #INDvWI #INDvsWI #T20I #Mumbai

— Tejas Pujare (@tejas_pujare) December 11, 2019

The most pleasing thing about this victory was: India came out of their shell and batted their way to beyond par. Also, winning while batting first is always sweet, particularly in recent times in T20s. #INDvWI

— Pawan Kumar (@itspawanhere) December 11, 2019

India in T20 in 2019:

Lost vs New Zealand (1-2)
Lost vs Australia(0-2)
Won vs West Indies (3-0)
Draw vs South Africa (1-1)
Won vs Bangladesh (2-1)
Won vs West Indies (2-1)#INDvWI

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) December 11, 2019

Once again Rohit leads the Indians off the field in #Mumbai. Thank you @imVkohli#INDvsWI #WIvIND #INDvWI

— BloggerDan (@DanBlogger) December 11, 2019