Team India dominated the opening day of the first Test against West Indies in Dominica on July 12 (Wednesday) and took control of the game. The Windies' batters surrendered in front of India's spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who combined to pick eight wickets on the opening day. The veteran right-arm office bagged a five-wicket haul, his 33rd in Test cricket, and Jadeja chipped in with three wickets as the hosts were bundled out for just 150 runs. In reply, Indian openers captain Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched an unbeaten 80-run partnership before stumps of Day 1.
Windies' skipper Kraigg Brathwaite opted to bat first after winning the toss on a pitch that appeared to be battered and bruised on the opening day. Brathwaite (20) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12) negated the threat posed by Indian pacers with the new ball and forged a 31-run alliance. Rohit turned to Ashwin thereafter and the veteran offie sent both the Windies' openers packing in a space of two overs.
Jadeja joined the party soon with a double strike himself. He dismissed Jermaine Blackwood (14) and wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva (2) in the space of a couple of overs.
Debutant Alick Athanaze tried his best to hold one end together and forged a brief partnership with Jason Holder (18). Athanaze went on to score 47 hard-fought runs before Ashwin struck once again. Rahkeem Cornwall (19 not out) added some crucial runs that took the Windies' total to 150 runs.
Apart from Ashwin and Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur were the other Indian bowlers among the wickets. Both the Indian pacers chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Rohit and Jaiswal gave the visitors a fantastic start to their innings. The duo batted cautiously and capitalised on any scoring opportunity to keep the scoreboard ticking at a decent clip. On debut, the left-handed batter from Mumbai remained unbeaten on 40 runs which he scored with the help of six fours. The Indian captain scored 30 runs with the help of three fours and a six as the touring side closed the opening day at 80 for no loss in 23 overs.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Watch: UK and Aussie PM indulge in hilarious Ashes interaction, Rishi Sunak says 'didn’t bring my sandpaper' to Anthony Albanese
WI vs IND: Ashwin bags 700th Test wicket as India in complete command at Tea on Day 1 with brilliant bowling performance
