Tilak Varma grabs Jonty Rhodes-esque catch on debut, fans say he reminds of Raina - WATCH

As part of their preparation for the ICC ODI World Cup, India started their T20 series against the West Indies on Thursday. India had previously won the Test and ODI series against the Windies. The visitors' T20 series has not gotten off to the best of starts, as they lost the opening game at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy by a score of 4 runs. The 2nd T20 of 5 will start Sunday, August 6, 2023.

3 things you need to know

• West Indies displayed great batting, hitting 149 runs at a loss of 6 in 20 overs

• India failed to chase the score as they made 145 runs at a loss of 9  wickets in 20 overs 

• Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were absent from the match

Also Read: 'Next Yuvraj Singh': Netizens go gaga over Tilak Varma after smashing debut for India

IND vs WI: Tilak Varma pulled a 'Ravindra Jadeja' on his debut

During the game at Brian Lara Stadium, Tilak Varma exhibited his exceptional fielding ability by making a fantastic catch to evict Johnson Charles, bringing comparisons to the legendary Jonty Rhodes. His spectacular fielding wowed fans, and his "Jonty Rhodes" incident became viral on the internet. His athleticism shone just like Ravindra Jadeja, who is considered one of the greatest fielders in the history of the Indian Cricket Team. Not just the catch or fielding Tilak displayed great batting under pressure for his team.

"𝗛𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲.”@TilakV9

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.#INDvWIAdFreeonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/1O9KQsBOOx

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 3, 2023

Tilak Varma gave off his idol Suresh Raina vibes 🤩. Not a bad start on his international debut. He played a vital knock of 39 & also took 2 stunning catches in the 1st T20I against West Indies. Well Played @TilakV9. #WIvsIND #TeamIndia #INDvsWI #IndianCricketTeam #BCCI pic.twitter.com/eR1J61FxlA

— Mrityunjoy Mazumdar (@Mrityunjoy_offl) August 3, 2023

Tilak's abilities extended beyond fielding, as evidenced by his engaging batsmanship during his innings. He began his inning with a six against Alzarri Joseph and went on to score 39 runs off 22 balls with a strike rate of 177, involving three sixes and two fours. Despite his brave efforts, Team India fell short, losing the first T20I by four runs despite scoring 145-9 in 20 overs.

Also Read: 'Can't chase 150 & they want to play T20I without Kohli': Team India slammed after WI loss

What happened during the IND vs WI match?

West Indies hold their nerve and go 1-0 up in the five-match T20I series 👏#WIvIND | 📝: https://t.co/NfcMJQlC3w pic.twitter.com/sMBCfpSh8W

— ICC (@ICC) August 3, 2023

The West Indies cricket team took a 1-0 lead in the T20I series in the first match of the five-match series in Tarouba, Trinidad. Brandon King led the squad in scoring with 28 runs. Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran both contributed to the team's 149 runs.

 Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan both lost wickets early in India's pursuit. Tilak Varma's 39-run blitz off 22 balls boosted the team's hopes, but he was out in the 11th over. Axar Patel scored 13 runs before his elimination despite the wickets of captain Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson. The West Indies maintained their composure to win by four runs.