By Avenash Ramzan
West Indies had a horrid start to the Blind T20 Cricket World on Tuesday, losing to reigning champions and host, India, by 142 runs at the Faridabad Nahar Singh Stadium.
A rapid century from Sunil R and an accompanying half-century from opener Deepak Malik took India to a mammoth 305-5 off the allotted 20 overs. West Indies, in reply, never really challenged the target, being limited to 163-5 when the overs finished.
India’s batsmen completely dominated the Caribbean’s bowlers, finishing the innings with a run rate of well over 15 runs per over. This was largely due to the dominance of B3 players (partial vision) Sunil and Malik, who blasted 115 runs in just 6.2 overs for the third wicket.
Sunil was at his destructive best, racing to 113 not out off just 49 balls, an innings that included 21 fours. Malik missed out on a ton, falling for a 46-ball 80 (13x4s). Opener Abis Beig chipped in with 25 and Ganesh Babubhai Mandakar made 23, while extras contributed a healthy 53 (35 wides, 14 no-balls and four byes).
Bowling for West Indies, Gregory La Stewart, Caneel Wayney Graham and Guyanese Kevin Douglas picked up a wicket each. When West Indies batted, Dennal Shim topscored with 40 (34 balls; 4x4s), while Douglas made 27 not out (13 balls; 3x4s). Openers Lo-Shan Myles and Guyanese Leroy Phillips made 18 each. Extras accounted for 32.
It was India’s second win of the competition after they whipped Bangladesh by 129 runs in their opening encounter. West Indies next play Sri Lanka on February 1 at the Delhi IIT ground.
