WI v IND, 3rd Test Day 1 Review: Ashwin stands tall amid Indian collapse

In what was expected to be a better performance from the West Indies in the penultimate Test match of the WI v IND Test series, the home side certainly had made large strides when it comes to showcasing an improvement on the field. The Indians, quite effectively, were taken aback by the West Indian onslaught as the changes in the Windies unit showcased something simply spectacular on the first Day at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia. Perhaps Mr. Sammy himself would have surely wanted it this way.

Having won the toss, Jason Holder had absolutely no qualms about bowling first. He had been quoted saying that this was the best wicket he had ever come across in the West Indies. Alzarri Joseph came in place of the seemingly ineffective Devendra Bishoo, making his much-anticipated debut. The new wave as far as the Windies were concerned was indeed evident.

The first session sent a shock down the spines of the Indians. Shikhar Dhawan, their rock at the top of the batting order was removed by Shannon Gabriel in the third over. The Indian faces in the crowd winced, only just at the fall of the first wicket. Virat Kohli, the skipper decided that it was time to step up. He hadn’t batted at the number three spot in quite a while. Yet, he deemed it his duty to make an example and join his RCB teammate KL Rahul.

While the first two Tests showcased somewhat of the superhuman spectacle of Virat Kohli. However, those Indian folks watching the match would have definitely had their hearts in their mouths. Alzarri Joseph, the West Indies pace starlet had something up his sleeve for Kohli. A short-pitched delivery, an outside-edge from Kohli, a catch from Darren Bravo who was perfectly positioned at second slip, and Alzarri Joseph had his man. 19/2, and Kohli made the long walk back to the haven of the pavilion, perhaps with a fight in-between his ears as to why he promoted himself up the order.

At this point, it was clear that the changes in the personnel were hurting the Indians to the core. Had they underestimated the West Indies? Had they gone a step too far by dropping Cheteshwar Pujara as well? This question, however, was soon put out by some gritty batsmanship showcased by KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane. Slowly but steadily, they added a few quick runs, eventually going on to stitch an important 58-run partnership. However, Roston Chase, the hero of the previous match against the Indians removed KL Rahul just as the latter was making a futile attempt to become aggressive. Rahul was removed for a half-century.

Also check out – Watch: Sushant Singh Rajput attempts to bat like MS Dhoni

The pre-lunch session was perhaps the best one for the West Indies when they dismissed Rohit Sharma as well. Alzarri Joseph was well and truly on fire on debut. Shortly after lunch and a closely convened crisis meeting between the Indian players and the staff, it was clear that patient and slow cricket had to prevail. It did not matter what the fans thought at this point. The Indians were on a rescue mission, an improbable one, but one that was required to be done. It did not matter if it was ugly or nice. It just had to be done.

Therefore, it was Ajinkya Rahane who was the next to fall. A 133-ball 35 as he was cleaned up by the irresistible Roston Chase. So much for trolling Cheteshwar Pujara’s slow knock at Kingston. Enter Ravi Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha. These lads were clearly on a rescue mission. They had to do something most of the other batsmen had not successfully executed – weathering the storm.

However, Saha and Ashwin weathered the storm and took the Indians to the brink of safety at the close of play. Ashwin in particular, seemingly got his teeth stuck into his new role of the middle-order batsman as he went on to remain unbeaten on 75, becoming only the ninth spinner & first Indian spinner to score two 50+ scores and take two five-wicket hauls in a Test series. Wriddhiman Saha remained unbeaten on 46 as the Indians closed play on 234/5.

Brief Scores

India, 1st innings: 234/5 (R Ashwin 75*; A Joseph 2/38)

Watch the highlights of day-1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB5Jb6EE0i8