WI vs IND: 2nd Test – India steady after hard-fought opening day
At one stage, Virat Kohli was batting on 8(43). It was that kind of a day at Sabina Park, Jamaica where the Indian batsmen had to toil despite West Indies not performing at optimum levels. Captain Jason Holder stood out with his three-wicket haul which included the prize scalp of Kohli batting on 76. India finished the day on 264/5 with Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari firmly planted at the crease.
Also read: Who is Rahkeem Cornwall?
Windies take early advantage
The uncharacteristic green deck at the Sabina Park tempted the home captain into bowling first. This was despite handing the Test debut to the heavily-built off-spinner, Rahkeem Cornwall. India, who went unchanged from the first Test, faced a stiff test. Indian openers dashed to a breezy start by putting up 32 runs in the first six overs. Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach, operating under the severely blazing sun, conceded far too many which forced Holder to assume the control.
The tall pacer struck right away by sending back KL Rahul with a sharply rising delivery that kissed his bat’s outside edge. Debutant Cornwall arrived into the attack in the 13th over. Pujara, unable to summon his extraordinary patience, handed an easy catch to point after surviving 10 overs. He became Cornwall’s maiden international wicket. Mayank Agarwal with ample support from Kohli went past his fifty but fell prey to Holder’s nagging line outside the off-stump.
Kohli-Rahane take charge
After Agarwal’s fall, India’s captain and vice-captain took charge of the situation. Kohli was well-set by now while Rahane took his time to get used to the dry track. Cornwall troubled both to an extent, but the masterful batsmen survived the tricky patch. The duo timed their drives impeccably and looked well-set on their ways to a big score until the West Indian fast bowlers scripted a comeback.
The see-saw battle
Roach dismissed Rahane for 24 (4 fours) as the debutant wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton took his maiden catch. Later, Holder got better of the Indian skipper who looked poised to add another hundred to his illustrious record. The ball that got Kohli pitched on good length and seamed away from the batsman, tickling his bat’s outside edge on the way. Two major wickets brought the hosts back in the game. However, Hanuma Vihari (42 not out) and Rishabh Pant (27 not out) successfully thwarted the following overs and the second new ball to finish on a positive note.
That feeling when you get the @MRFWorldwide No.1 ranked Test batsman in the world out! pic.twitter.com/nfWn4fRDPM
— ICC (@ICC) August 30, 2019
Brief scores:
India 264/5 (V Kohli 76, M Agarwal 55, H Vihari 42*; J Holder 3-39) vs West Indies.
