NEW DELHI: West Indies followed a defined attacking plan in their virtual quarterfinal against India, building around Roston Chase’s early platform before exploding at the finish to post a formidable 195/4 in their T20 World Cup Super-Eight clash on Sunday.

Chase, benefiting from two early lifelines, struck a polished 40 off 25 balls and shared a 68-run opening stand with Shai Hope, who made 32 off 33 deliveries.

The duo ensured positive momentum against the new ball, mixing caution with calculated aggression.

India briefly pulled things back when Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the 12th over to halt the surge. The relief, however, did not last long.

Rovman Powell, unbeaten on 34 off 19 balls with three fours and two sixes, and Jason Holder, unbeaten on 37 off 22 balls with two fours and three sixes, stitched together a 76-run partnership off just 35 balls to deliver a powerful finish.

India used Bumrah in short spells and kept him for the death overs despite his success in the middle phase.

The move, though, failed to contain the damage.

Powell tore into Arshdeep Singh for 24 runs in the 16th over, shifting the momentum decisively. Arshdeep ended with 0/43, while Bumrah was India’s most effective bowler with 2/36.

Early pressure and fielding lapses

In front of a packed Eden Gardens, India were put under pressure early as West Indies raced to a 68-run opening stand off 53 balls.

Opting to bat, Hope and the promoted Chase began quietly with just three runs in the first over.

The intent changed swiftly as Hope targeted Hardik Pandya with a pick-up over midwicket and a crisp cover drive.

Axar Patel maintained control, but lapses in the field hurt India.

Chase survived a mix-up when Varun Chakravarthy threw to the wrong end with him stranded, and later was dropped on 14 by Abhishek Sharma at cover.

Taking advantage, Chase attacked Hardik, sending him over cow corner after the all-rounder switched ends.

India held Varun back from the powerplay, introducing him in the ninth over, and he repaid the move by bowling Hope.

Bumrah strikes, Powell explodes

Shimron Hetmyer arrived with attacking freedom and immediately charged Hardik, launching him over wide long-on in a 13-run over that also featured three wides.

He then targeted Varun with a six and a four as West Indies moved to 99/1.

With the game drifting, Bumrah provided a breakthrough by dismissing Hetmyer for 27 off 12 balls and then deceiving the set Chase with a slower ball.

Hardik returned after the drinks break to remove Sherfane Rutherford, who made 14 off nine balls.

India sensed an opening before Arshdeep endured a difficult over as Powell unleashed a brutal assault worth 24 runs.

After a watchful start, Powell smashed a towering 98 metre six over midwicket, benefited from five wides off a sharp bouncer, flicked another delivery over square leg for six and finished the over with a fierce cut past backward point to cap a decisive momentum swing.

(With PTI Inputs)