1st Test: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi extend India’s dominance after R Ashwin show restricts WI to 150 on Day 1
Captain Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal forged an unbeaten 80-run opening stand.
In the final session to make sure that India took advantage of the bowlers’ superlative performance on the opening day of the first Test of the two-match series at Windsor Park in Dominica. India closed the day’s play at 80 for 0 to trail West Indies’s first innings total by 70 runs after comeback man Ravichandran Ashwin-led bowling attack bundled out the hosts for just 150 runs in their first innings.
There were a few close calls including a review against Rohit Sharma, but the umpire’s call, which was initially not out, saved the India captain early in his innings. The game was also delayed for 5 minutes due to rain, but it had no effect on India’s openers.
Jaiswal took his time to open his account in Test cricket, but he did so in style, smashing an upper cut on his 16th ball and never looked back, hitting six fours en route to his unbeaten 40-run knock performance. WI’s quick bowlers Jason Holder and Kemar Roach, along with Jomel Warrican, kept things close, but the openers cut the deficit to 70 runs.
Earlier on Wednesday, West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul provided a solid start after winning the toss and electing to bat, adding 31 runs to the scoreboard. Their partnership, however, was short-lived as seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice, dismissing both openers in the opening session. The exit of Brathwaite and Chanderpaul in quick succession provided India with a much-needed reprieve, putting them in command.
West Indies’ struggle continued as the Indian spinners capitalized on the early breakthrough. Raymon Reifer and Jermaine Blackwood failed to make an impact and lost their wickets before lunch. Ravindra Jadeja joined the party after the break, dismissing Joshua Da Silva shortly after the match resumed in the second session.
Jason Holder then joined hands with debutant Alick Athanaze and the duo stitched a 41-run stand for the sixth wicket and managed to take West Indies past the 100-run mark. Athanaze (47), who was the sole glimmer of hope for the West Indies, unfortunately, fell short of a half-century on his debut, being dismissed by Ashwin just three runs away from the milestone.
The remaining West Indies batsmen struggled to display resilience following captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision to bat first. The Indian bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length, making it difficult for the West Indian batsmen to score freely. Eventually, the hosts were bowled out for a modest total of 150 runs in 64.3 overs.
ASHWIN COMPLETES 700 INTERNATIONAL WICKETS
Ashwin returned with figures of 5/60, securing his 33rd five-wicket haul and fourth against the West Indies, resulting in the hosts collapsing in less than half an hour. In doing so, Ashwin joined the ranks of Anil Kumble (956) and Harbhajan Singh (711) as the third Indian spinner to achieve 700 International wickets across all formats, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Day one of the opening Test match belonged to the Indian bowlers, particularly the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who turned the tide in India’s favor. Their consistent line and length, coupled with the ability to take crucial wickets at regular intervals, disrupted the West Indies batting lineup.