IND vs WI / West Indies were helpless against Team India, their innings was restricted to 162 runs, India 121/2

IND vs WI: The West Indies team, before touring India, collapsed for just 27 runs at home against Australia in their last Test innings. Their T20 team then suffered a defeat against a novice team like Nepal during the Asia Cup in the UAE. Cricket fans in Ahmedabad were less enthusiastic about watching India play a Test match against such a lackluster team. The Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 1.25 lakh, attracted just under 10,000 spectators on the first day of the first Test.

First Day of a Mismatch

This match between India and the West Indies proved to be one of the biggest mismatches in international cricket. The first day's play was completely in India's favor. The West Indies were bowled out for 162 in 44.1 overs, while India finished the day at 121 for 2. Except for the toss, there was nothing positive for the West Indies.

West Indies captain failed to read the pitch.

West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and elected to bat first. He stated that batting in the fourth innings is difficult on Indian pitches, as the spinners' dominance increases as the match progresses. However, it became clear within the first 10 overs that Chase failed to read the pitch. The red soil pitch had a thin layer of green grass, which helped the bowlers in the first hour.

West Indies helpless against fast bowlers

West Indies batsmen, who were afraid of spinners, succumbed to the Indian fast bowlers. The score was 39/3 after 10 overs. By lunch, West Indies lost 5 wickets and the score was 90/5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul's son, Tegnarine Chanderpaul, was dismissed without opening his account, while John Campbell managed only 8 runs. Alick Athanase, Brandon King, and Shai Hope scored in double figures, but none could play a long innings.

Collapsed before the second new ball was even worse for the West Indies. They lost their remaining five wickets while adding 72 runs. In Test cricket, the second new ball can be taken after 80 overs, but the West Indies innings was bowled out in 44.1 overs. Justin Greaves top-scored with 32 runs. India's fast bowlers took seven wickets, with Mohammed Siraj taking four and Jasprit Bumrah taking three. Among the spinners, Kuldeep Yadav took two and Washington Sundar took one.

Siraj and Bumrah's brilliance

Mohammed Siraj bowled as if he were bowling at the Oval in England on the first day. He used both swing and seam brilliantly with the new ball. He dismissed Tegnarayan in his second over and then sent back Athanaz, King, and Chase. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah performed brilliantly with the old ball. His two yorkers were the most memorable deliveries of the day, bowling two batsmen.

India's solid batting

At the end of the day, India were 121 for 2, only 41 runs behind West Indies' score. The Indian team's strategy will be to take a large lead in the first innings, avoiding the need to bat again.

Pace bowling all-rounder after seven years

India's playing XI included a pace bowling all-rounder in Nitish Reddy. This marks the first time in seven years that India has played this role in a home Test. Previously, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur played this role in 2018.