Ahmedabad, Oct 2 (UNI) India ended Day 1 of the opening Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium trailing by 41 runs, posting 121 for 2 in 38 overs, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 53 and Shubman Gill on 18.
The day belonged to India’s bowlers, with Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav producing a spellbinding display to skittle the West Indies for just 162 at Tea.
Siraj opened the floodgates early. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was cleaned up for a duck, and the wickets kept tumbling – Brandon King misjudged a nip-backer and Alick Athanaze nicked to KL Rahul. Bumrah reminded everyone why he is a master of chaos, sending back John Campbell via an UltraEdge review after Campbell thought he was safe. Three wickets before lunch left West Indies wobbling at 42 for 4.
Shai Hope and Roston Chase tried to rebuild with some classy strokes- Hope’s drives, punches and clips past midwicket were effortless, while Chase added sparkle with cheeky reverse sweeps and wristy nudges. But Kuldeep’s comeback spell changed the game entirely.
Post-lunch, Hope (26) was frozen by a flighted delivery that kissed the inside edge and crashed into off stump. The visitors had no answers as Siraj, Bumrah and Washington Sundar joined in to complete the rout. Key wickets included Chase, Kyle Pierre lbw, Greaves (32), Johann Layne (1), and Jomel Warrican (8). Extras (21) and a few dropped chances could not save West Indies from total collapse.
India’s reply was patient yet attacking. Rahul reached his fifty off 101 balls, timing drives, cuts, and punches with precision. Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 36 runs before falling to Jayden Seales. Shubman Gill brought up 18 and guided India past the 100-run mark in 29.4 overs.
India added 50 runs for the first wicket in 95 balls, with extras aiding their progress. Drinks were taken with the score on 83 for 1 in 22 overs, showing steady momentum.
Key moments of the Indian innings included Rahul’s crisp drives wide of mid-on, his cut shots racing past backward point, and flicks down to midwicket. Gill, too, found gaps expertly, punishing loose deliveries from Khary Pierre and Warrican. Despite the brief rain interruptions, India maintained control and ended the day in a commanding position.
With West Indies already in trouble, India’s bowlers dominated every session, every over, and every ball. The hosts are firmly in command, while the visitors will need early breakthroughs on Day 2 to prevent a massive first-innings deficit.
