In an intense opening Twenty20 International on Thursday, West Indies stunned India by securing a narrow four-run triumph, defending a modest target of 150 runs.

India started promisingly, reaching 77-3 in the 11th over, driven by the debutant Tilak Varma’s impressive knock of 39 and Suryakumar Yadav’s 21. However, their fortunes changed as they lost six wickets for just 68 runs.

Shimron Hetmyer, making a comeback to international cricket after a year, played a pivotal role for West Indies with three crucial catches and a run-out of Arshdeep Singh in the final over, sealing the low-scoring encounter.

Tilak Varma, the 20-year-old IPL sensation with 343 runs for Mumbai Indians, displayed his hitting prowess with three sixes during his 22-ball innings. Two of his sixes came off the first three balls he faced from Alzarri Joseph.

Varma’s innings came to an end on the last ball of the 11th over, caught by Hetmyer at fine leg off pace bowler Romario Shepherd, with the total at 77. Suryakumar was earlier caught brilliantly by Hetmyer at short extra cover off the bowling of Jason Holder.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell top-scored with 48 as his team posted 149-6 after opting to bat first. Powell’s 32-ball innings included three fours and three sixes, and he was well-supported by Nicholas Pooran, who contributed 41 runs.

Holder was exceptional with the ball for West Indies, ending with impressive figures of 2-19 in his four overs, earning him the title of the man of the match.

Despite India’s valiant efforts, they made some costly errors in the chase, and captain Hardik Pandya attributed it to the inexperience of the young team.

The thrilling victory marks a positive start for West Indies in the T20I series, and the teams will now move on to play the next two matches in Bridgetown on Sunday and Tuesday before concluding the series in Florida on August 12 and 13. India previously won the two-Test series 1-0 and the ODIs 2-1 against West Indies.