Suresh Raina’s 82 and his 146-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Harbhajan Singh (70) was the only saving grace for the Indian side in their first Test match against West Indies at the Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
India v West Indies 1st Test Day One: Raina’s 82 Saves Day For India
Batting first after the winning the toss, the Indian performance in the first session and a half did not reflect the number one ranking that they have been accorded since the early part of last year. Both openers fell in the first hour of the play and despite a steadying hand by vice-captain VVS Laxman in his stand with Rahul Dravid, the Indians were reduced to 69 for four before lunch.
In the post-lunch session, Dravid (40) and captain MS Dhoni fell in quick succession to Devendra Bishoo and left the Indians in a precarious situation at 85 for six.
It was a counterattack with ferocity. Harbhajan Singh slammed three quick boundaries off Bishoo before taking on all the other bowlers with the kind of aplomb that was needed from the top-order.
Raina, who had had a poor ODI series against West Indies and managed to get the number six slot over S Badrinath, looked much more confident than his usual self. He left almost all the bouncers aimed at him and rarely did he attempt that slog shot over mid-wicket that had got him into trouble in the ODIs.
Both got to 50s and had pushed India to 231 for six, before another spell of wickets towards the end, cut their innings short to 246. Fidel Edwards picked up four wickets while Bishoo had three.
West Indies played out the remaining 20 overs in the day’s play for the loss of one of their opening batsmen, Lendl Simmons. Adrian Barath and the experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan had seen off the remaining overs without any further loss and the hosts were 34 for one at stumps on the first day.
India versus West Indies 1st Test, Day 2 will resume at 10.00 am local time or 2030 hours IST on Tuesday.
See More:
