Five memorable moments from the India-West Indies match that don't fade away

When England won their semi-final clash against New Zealand, a majority of Indians were convinced that the title would be theirs. After all, India struggle against spin and only New Zealand had multiple spinners of high caliber.

So New Zealand’s elimination meant the job became a lot easier for Indian now.

However, the utter disregard for West Indies has come back to haunt them as the Calypso kings washed the Men in Blue to the shore of elimination. Chasing a total of 193, luck favoured the Windies as Lendl Simmons and Andre Russel saw over the chase.

One can certainly say that memories of the match will not fade away, quite like the Axe Signature line of body perfumes. Here are 5 memorable moments from the match:

Indian openers’ start

Rohit Sharma was having a terrible tournament, with his highest score being 18 against Bangladesh. Against West Indies, however, he started off with an aggressive mindset from the very first ball and scored a blistering 43 of just 29 balls.

On the other end, Shikhar Dhawan found himself warming the bench as Ajinkya Rahane took his place in opening slot. And it turned out to be a good decision.

While Rohit Sharma was taking on the West Indies bowling with aggression, Rahane was playing a sensible support role by taking singles and putting the attacking batsmen on the strike.

The opening partnership lasted for 44 balls, during which India scored 62 runs—a great start considering how they fared in the past matches.

Kohli’s class

Virat Kohli celebrates after completing his 50

This man just keeps blowing minds. With another not-out innings, he has taken his T20I average to an unbelievable 58.60—something that could only be dreamed of in the 20-over format. The term ‘picked up where he left off’ couldn’t have found a better example for itself than Kohli’s innings.

Against Australia, he finished the game with a score of 82*. It seemed like he paused that innings and then against West Indies, clicked on the play button to continue playing the way he was.

His terrific innings consisted of 11 fours and a six—a testament to the responsible way he plays—in 47 balls and scored an astonishing 89 runs to take India to 192 in the allotted 20 overs.

Lendl’s luck

Lendl Simmons rode his luck to carry West Indies into the final

Only God knows what this man brought with him yesterday. Perhaps a dozen of horseshoes. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t get out. It was if he wanted to get out, but God wanted him to finish the game.

Simmons was caught TWICE in the game—and BOTH the times the decision was overturned because of front-foot no-balls. Then, as Jasprit Bumrah was bowling the over of his life, starting the 17th over with 3 dot balls in a row, Simmons smacked him on the fourth ball.

The ball seemed like it would fall in Jadeja’s hand. And it did. However, Jaddu’s boots were in contact with the ropes at that point and it became a six.

In the end, Simmons’ innings of 82 in 51 balls got West Indies over the line.

Kohli’s first ball wicket

Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Johnson Charles

Lendl Simmons and the very dangerous Charles were cruising towards the total. With 116 runs on board and 8 wickets in hand, coupled with the 7 overs that remained, it seemed like the Windies were in control, despite the high required run rate.

Wicket was the absolute ask of the hour. With almost every spinner getting smacked earlier, Dhoni turned his attention towards Virat Kohli.

Now this man had already played a sensational innings with bat. However, expecting him to do the same with the ball was absurd and asking for too much.

But then he gave the fans utter joy.

Charles saw a part-timer and started licking his lips. As Kohli pitched the ball in, Charless went in with full strength, but mistimed the ball—which lead to the ball floating towards the hands of Rohit Sharma at long off. The Indians had got the breakthrough they needed, but…

Russel’s finish

Andre Russell celebrates after West Indies beat India

…ruined it all for them. Chris Gayle might be the star hitter of this team, but in terms of brute strength and power while hitting the ball, Andre Russel is just as strong if not stronger.

He is a well-known and highly revered name in the T20 league circuits, where his all-round performances have won his teams many matches.

Against India, he came down and dealt the final blow with a 20-ball 43 that gave West Indies the late boost that was required to overcome the required-run-rate barrier. His ability to stay calm and clear the boundary with big hits in tricky situations like yesterday is what makes him one of the most feared strikers of the ball.