WI vs IND: 2nd Test, Day 1 – Kohli, Jadeja keep India ahead

The second Test of the multi-format series between the West Indies and India finally got underway with the hosts looking to improve on their performance from the first Test, whereas India aimed to put forth a similar performance to that of the first game.

Speaking of Day 1, Team India came in to bat first after losing the toss, and the openers got off to a brilliant start. After scoring centuries in the first Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma followed it up with knocks of 57 and 80 runs, respectively. However, it was much to the disappointment of the visitors that 23-year-old Shubman Gill failed to make his impact on the game. Gill only managed to score 10 runs before he was sent packing by Kemar Roach.

Furthermore, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane aimed to add even more runs on the board after the fall of three wickets. Kohli did look to be in the flow throughout the day, but it was Rahane who failed to score big. The veteran Indian batter was dismissed in the 51st over of the first innings for just eight runs by Shannon Gabriel.

By the time stumps were called on Day 1, India found themselves at 288 runs with the loss of four wickets, with Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja on the crease unbeaten at 87 and 36 runs, respectively.

Talking Points from Day 1:

Lost out on a good start

Team India put in a like-to-like performance in the ongoing game as compared to the first Test. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma were scoring runs for fun in the first session. However, after the first wicket and Shubman Gill’s early dismissal, the side found themselves at 153 runs with the loss of two wickets.

Kohli’s excellence

However, despite losing out on a good start, it was Virat Kohli who stabilized the innings for his side. Playing slowly and steadily, Kohli played a brilliant knock, scoring 87* runs to bring the team back on track.

Kohli-Jadeja stand

Apart from Kohli, it was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s resolute defence that provided the ace batter with the best of partners. Both batters played through a wicketless session towards the latter stages of Day 1 and they will look to further build on it as Day 2 approaches.