India survive scare to take 1-0 lead

Kolkata: India beat Windies by 5 wickets after surviving a huge scare in Kolkata . Their top-order fell apart in the chase but Dinesh Karthik held the innings from one end and put on good partnerships with Manish Pandey and then Krunal Pandya to see the team home. 

Krunal Pandya was the biggest plus for India as he shone with both bat and ball for the hosts. The second T20I will now be played in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Earlier, spinner Kuldeep Yadav led the Indian bowlers' fine show with three wickets to restrict West Indies to 109 for eight in their first T20 International here Sunday.

Electing to field on a dew-laden Eden Gardens, India responded well with the pacers giving them a fine start after Umesh Yadav dismissed Denesh Ramdin in the third over. 

Debutant Khaleel Ahmed (1/16) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/27) ensured that the Windies run-rate dried up before the spin duo of Krunal Pandya (1/15) and Kuldeep made merry. Kuldeep (3/13) also completed 100 wickets in T20 cricket.

Tottering at 63 for seven inside 15 overs, the Windies looked to fold up inside 100 but Fabian Allen (27 from 20 balls) and Khary Pierre (15 not out from 13 balls) lifted the total past 100.

Debutant Krunal finished with excellent figures of 1/14 bowling his four overs at a stretch.

After being hit for a six by Kieron Pollard in his first over, the left-arm spinner not only dismissed the explosive batsman but conceded just four runs in his final three overs to finish on a high.