WI v IND, 1st Test Day 1 Review: Virat Kohli ton puts India ahead

India skipper Virat Kohli slammed a ton and remained unbeaten at the end of the day’s play as the Indians got their noses in front in the first Test at Antigua. This knock also saw the WI v IND series get off to perhaps a perfect start for the Indians in particular. Shikhar Dhawan, the southpaw, whose place in the side was under threat from KL Rahul as he smashed a wonderfully compiled 84 to set the foundation.

The day began with Virat Kohli calling the toss correctly and opting to bat first on what was a grassy wicket. The Indian openers initially found it difficult to score runs on a track where the West Indies seamers had a lot of purchase. Although Jason Holder was marginally successful in keeping the lid on the Indian openers, Shannon Gabriel’s success in clocking speeds in excess of 150 Kmph was certainly something that posed a serious threat to the Indian batsmen.

Murali Vijay was the first to fall to the pace and swing of Gabriel as he gloved a short-pitched delivery to Kraigg Brathwaite at first slip. As Vijay made his way back, the Windies clearly had the upper hand by picking up the first wicket early. At 14-1, it was clear that the short-pitched delivery was something that had come back to trouble the Indian batsmen.

Cheteshwar Pujara however, didn’t seem to be too troubled by the short ball as he began to construct his innings following a patient start. This, coupled with Shikhar Dhawan’s aggression saw the Indians get to the lunch break at 72-1. In a nutshell, it was all even at the end of the first session.

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However, the lunch interval proved to be a crucial turning point in terms of the concentration of Cheteshwar Pujara. A chip off the outside edge and into the hands of short cover saw Pujara on his way back to the haven of the dressing sheds. However, the fact that Virat Kohli came out to bat next saw most smiles on West Indian faces vanish within a few seconds.

The Windies had a good reason to not be as thrilled as they would have liked to be upon seeing Virat Kohli making his way to bat. The Indian skipper began his innings with a couple of cover drives from the bowling of Devendra Bishoo. Although spinners were operating from one end, it was clear that Kohli was in a devastating mood. The pacers were not spared this time. Cuts, pulls, sweeps, and drives saw the 27-year old stitch an important partnership with teammate and friend Shikhar Dhawan. The right-left batting combination also seemingly worked as they stitched a 105-run partnership.

However, as they say, all good things must come to an end. In this case, lady luck didn’t smile too kindly on Shikhar Dhawan as the latter was adjudged leg-before after attempting a sweep off the bowling of Bishoo as the latter picked up his second wicket. Bishoo would get lucky barely a few overs later when the solid looking Ajinkya Rahane was removed after attempting to pull a short-pitched delivery that had turned the wrong way. Having been dismissed for a paltry 22, it was now time for Virat Kohli to momentarily step back into the spotlight.

The 27-year old Virat Kohli completed his 12th century as well as his 5th century as skipper to ensure that his side did indeed have the advantage at the end of day 1. His partner-in-crime, Ravi Ashwin also remained unbeaten on 22 as the Indians concluded the day on a healthy 302/4 in the 90 overs bowled on the day.

Brief Scores

India 302/4 (V Kohli 143*; D Bishoo 3/108)