WICB President's XI v India, 1st Warm up game – Day 1 Review

India’s tour of West Indies kick started with a 2-day warm-up game vs West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI at Basseterre. Indian batsmen made most of the day after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and middle order batsman Rohit Sharma scored fifty-plus scores as India posted 258/6 in 93 overs at the end of the day 1.

Indian openers Dhawan and Rahul started off cautiously. Both looked good while driving the ball. Once the duo got the feel of the pitch, they started to get the runs. The southpaw brought up his fifty in 88 balls hitting 7th four just of his knock before Lunch. Dhawan retired out after sharing a 98-run stand with Rahul in the opening session to make way for Cheteshwar Pujara.

Rahul on the other end got a life as he edged the ball trying to drive. The ball went through the fingers of the keeper and slip. After lunch, Rahul completed his fifty with a single and returned to the pavilion in order to allow captain Kohli to have a go. Rahul took 99 balls for his fifty striking 5 fours and a six hit over the long-on fence.

Kohli took about 15 balls to get off the mark. He struck a couple of boundaries and was given a life by the short leg fielder who failed to hold on a tough chance. However, Kohli was caught behind off Warrican for 14. Ajinkya Rahane didn’t stay long as he was bowled for just 5 runs by Warrican.

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Pujara was rock solid at one end while Rohit Sharma who came out to bat at No.6 got a chance to bat with the lower middle order. Wriddhiman Saha walked along with Rohit after Tea as Pujara retired after playing 102 balls for his 34. Saha put on a decent stand with Rohit and scored 22 only before he played one straight into the hands of short leg off the bowling of Jacobs.

Amit Mishra stayed at the crease till the end of the day despite going for some ugly slogs. Rohit on other end played his strokes around the ground. He brought up his fifty from 102 balls with a boundary smashed down the long on region. He hit 8 fours and a six in his knock.

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Brief scores:

India – 258/6 (93) Day 1, stumps

(Rohit Sharma – 54*, Shikhar Dhawan – 51; J Warrican – 2/61)