The first Test match between India and West Indies provided memorable moments as debutants Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Alick Athanaze showcased their talents on the cricketing stage. However, it was India who emerged as the dominant force, clinching victory at Windsor Park in Dominica.
Kishan’s debut innings in red-ball cricket was met with some scrutiny. The wicketkeeper-batter took his time to get off the mark, which led to animated hand gestures from captain Rohit Sharma in the dressing room. Kishan’s cautious approach contrasted with Jaiswal’s patient batting, earning praise for his resilience.
The sluggish nature of the pitch and slow outfield made scoring difficult for all Indian batsmen. Even centurions Jaiswal and Rohit had modest strike rates of 44.18 and 46.60, respectively. It took Virat Kohli 81 balls to hit his first boundary, highlighting the challenges faced by the Indian team.
Rohit’s reaction suggested a potential declaration after Kohli’s dismissal for 76 runs. Kishan was possibly tasked with scoring quick runs, but he took 20 balls to get off the mark. Displeased with the slow progress, Rohit promptly called Kishan and Ravindra Jadeja (37*) back to the pavilion. India declared their innings at 421/5, holding a substantial lead of 271 runs.
The decision to declare early could be attributed to the nature of the pitch. Although it offered turns, its slow nature allowed batters to adjust if they showed patience. Recognising that spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja might require more time to bowl out West Indies in the second innings, Rohit timed the declaration just before Tea.
Ashwin’s masterful display on the turning pitch was the highlight of India’s bowling attack. He claimed 7-71 in the second innings, concluding the match with impressive figures of 12-131. West Indies struggled to counter India’s spinners and were eventually dismissed for 130 runs in under 51 overs, following their first innings total of 150.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More
Less
Updated: 15 Jul 2023, 10:20 AM IST
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
