Krunal Pandya had a memorable debut on Sunday (November 4) as he scalped 1/15 and then scored a quick-fire 21 to help India register a five-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav (3/13) led the Indian bowlers' fine show to restrict West Indies to 109 for eight after stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma opted to field first. In reply, India were 45 for four in eight overs, leaving their fragile middle order exposed. But Dinesh Karthik, who leads Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL, stayed calm in his 31 not out from 34 balls (3x4, 1x6) to steer India home with 13 balls to spare.

Krunal Pandya hit the winning boundary off Keemo Paul in the 18th over. His 21-run knock came off 9 deliveries with three boundaries. Krunal’s first scalp was that of his Mumbai Indians teammate Kieron Pollard.

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma was full of praise for his Mumbai Indians teammate and even revealed how Krunal was keen to bowl against Pollard.

"Krunal, I've seen him closely playing for Mumbai Indians. He likes the situation where the team expects him to perform,” Rohit quoted.

“He was the one who asked me 'I want to bowl to Pollard, and got him out.' When you see guys accept challenges and bail the team out, it's exciting as captain or as a team management," he added.

Krunal and Pollard share a very good rapport as they play for the same franchise (Mumbai Indians) in the Indian Premier League. Krunal celebrated his maiden international wicket with a flying kiss.

"I am going to tease him for sure. He was like a brother to me. Getting his wicket was special for me," Krunal said in the post-match press conference.

Talking about his flying kiss celebration after the dismissal, the 27-year-old said: "That was my love for Pollard."