Twitter Reactions: Spirited West Indies get better of India in opening T20I in Trinidad

In a thrilling T20I encounter at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first. The game marked the beginning of a five-match series against India, and the crowd was eager to witness an exhilarating contest.

West Indies' batting innings commenced with a promising start as they concluded their 20 overs at 149-6, setting a target of 150 runs for India to chase. Nicholas Pooran displayed his prowess, scoring 41 runs off 34 deliveries with two fours and two sixes.

The team's skipper, Rovman Powell, played a splendid knock, contributing 48 runs off 32 balls, including three boundaries and three sixes. Brandon King also made a valuable contribution, scoring 28 runs off 19 deliveries.

India's bowlers fought hard to restrict West Indies' innings. Arshdeep and Chahal claimed two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Captain Hardik Pandya secured one wicket apiece.

Chasing the target, India's top order suffered an early setback with Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill returning to the pavilion for just 28 runs on the board. However, Surya Kumar Yadav and debutant Tilak Varma formed a steady partnership to stabilize the innings.

Unfortunately, India's middle-order collapsed with a pivotal wicket maiden over from Jason Holder, which saw the dismissals of Hardik Pandya and Samson. From there on, the match's momentum shifted in favor of West Indies, and in the end, West Indies won the match by four runs.

For India, debutant Tilak Varma made 39 runs, while Surya Kumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya added 21 and 19 runs, respectively. In the final overs, A few of Arshdeep Singh's lusty blows gave India a glimmer of hope, but Romario Shepherd's brilliant last over ensured victory for West Indies as they claimed a thrilling victory in the opening T20I match of the series. Obed McCoy, Jason Holder, and Shepherd took two wickets each, while Akeal Hosein dismissed Shubman Gill.

After the game, fans took to Twitter to express their thoughts and reactions to India's performance.

Here are some of the Tweets:

Solid performance by @windiescricket! That over by @Jaseholder98 took it away from #TeamIndia! The men in blue will come back stronger in the next one 💪🏾💪🏾

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) August 3, 2023

This meme never gets old😭😭😭#WIvsIND #INDvWI #INDvPAK #IndianCricket pic.twitter.com/JCJwWxnph5

— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket_) August 3, 2023

Hardik Pandya in last 10 T20i matches.

Runs - 191
Average - 19
Strike Rate - 115

He doesn't deserve to captain , KL Rahul deserve captaincy!🙏 @BCCI #WIvsIND pic.twitter.com/TRHvsriime

— Kunal Yadav (@kunaalyaadav) August 3, 2023

What a downfall for Indian cricket team.😔

We lost the match with this West Indies. Hardik Pandya the main culprit! #WIvsIND pic.twitter.com/wUJQY5yNNV

— Kunal Yadav (@kunaalyaadav) August 3, 2023

Another Day and Another Humiliation for Team India as West Indies beat India by 5 runs.#INDvsWI | #WIvsIND | #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/y84WYmyG04

— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) August 3, 2023

India lost to WI who couldn't even qualify for WC 👏 #WIvsIND

— New Soul (@Gen_Movie_buff) August 3, 2023

They are not answerable to anyone, we are the fools to watch them #WIvsIND

— Vikas Gupta (@mailvikasg27) August 3, 2023

This is why you need Virat at 3 in the next T20 world cup.. There should be someone who can hold one end with stability... and there would be no problem with the SRs too on the slow pitches . #WIvsInd

— Tanmay (@Tanmay1755) August 3, 2023

Shame on Indian cricket team
Worst performance I could ever imagine 🙏#WIvsIND #WorldCup2023 #DeodharTrophy #HardikPandya #T20I #riyanparag #raina #Cricket

— Yug Atre (@Stonerr05) August 3, 2023

Windies failed to qualify for t20 world cup 2022. They beat India by 4 runs in 1st t20i. How disgraceful it is for India. India is no more threat for big teams as it was in the previous decades. India is now a minnow.#WIvsIND #INDvsWI @BCCI

— waqar Ahmad khattak (@waqar2668) August 3, 2023

Sawal Australia ne puche the jawab West Indies ko bhi nahi de paa rahe😭 #IndianCricketTeam #TeamIndia #WIvsIND #SabJawaabMilenge

— Sahilll Parekh (@imshl7) August 3, 2023

When u lose an ODI and then a T20 game to a side which couldn't even qualify for the main draw of WC in both formats, it reconfirms the inherent problem in your white ball Cricket. But, we will ignore it and gloat over performances of a few individual superstars and IPL #WIvsIND

— Ambika (@apmahapatra) August 3, 2023

I'm not sure that Gill or Kishan will be the best opening combo for India in T20 cricket regardless of the IPL or other formats. Both struggle on a slow pitch and always need a good deck to flourish #WIvsIND #CricketTwitter

— AAD!3 (@1_3Aadz) August 3, 2023

Something missing in planing , specially opener mind set questionable?
Hope came back in next match #WIvsIND

— V Fogawat (@bagawatwatV) August 3, 2023

After their disastrous run in the World Cup qualifiers, West Indies needed a team like India to revive their losing morale and sagging spirits!
Well played Hardik and Co - you are doing great service to Windies cricket! #WIvsInd #T20I

— Venkat Parthasarathy 🇮🇳 (@Venkrek) August 3, 2023