In Dominica, Virat Kohli shown his ability to score runs without frequently hitting the middle of the bat. He didn’t speak very well during the first Test, but he still managed 76 on a surface that was everything but a featherbed.
That outing held Kohli in good stead as he salvaged India from a tricky situation on the first day of the second Test against the West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Thursday.
India had stumbled to 182/4 at tea following a century-long opening partnership, but Kohli (batting 87) found a reliable ally in Ravindra Jadeja (batting 36), who helped the visitors complete the day on 288/4. The unbroken fifth-wicket partnership has produced 106 runs so far.
It is now safe to say that the gap between the two teams in this series is condition-agnostic and that it mostly stems from the discipline and execution of fundamentals required at the highest level, particularly at critical moments. With four wickets, the hosts arrived a session later, but by that point, India had already established the pace of the second Test. In their first two innings of the series, the home team had not yet surpassed a score that the visitors had already attained. Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fifty and Rohit Sharma’s 20-run shortfall from his century, India will be concerned about the form of Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill after both players easily fell. To be sure, after a fantastic middle session, the West Indies were unable to further damage the Indian lineup, giving Rohit & Co. the victory for the day.
Kohli will undoubtedly receive praise for a job well done in rebuilding, but Jadeja’s contribution cannot be discounted. The all-arounder saves the day in instances like these so frequently that surprise is scarcely an issue anymore.
If Dominica’s dry, dusty pitch was intentionally created by the West Indies to benefit the hosts, Trinidad’s surface was anticipated to be more favourable for the visitors’ quick bowlers. Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and thought that the Queen’s Park Oval track’s early liveliness and movement would bring him some delight, but the length and line needed for that purpose were not present. Kemar Roach’s first delivery of the Test was short and wide, providing debutant centurion Jaiswal with easy pickings through the offside. The hosts’ sloppiness in the opening minutes of the game persisted throughout the first session. Half-volleys and the occasional full toss were used to follow short balls. Additionally, the lines were frequently too broad to entice the batsmen to play. As a result, the early assistance on the track quickly disappeared without compensation.
On the penultimate delivery before lunch, Jason Holder gave Jaiswal two chances to score: one high over a jumping gully off a violent cut and the other low and within the rules to Alick Athanaze.
The only way for the West Indies to go was up after being bowled out for 150 and 130, and losing a Test at home three days after winning the toss. But based on the careless manner in which the 100th India-West Indies Test was launched, it didn’t appear to be the case.
The primary culprits were Roach and Alzarri Joseph, which prompted Brathwaite to hastily bring back Shannon Gabriel. After nine overs, Jomel Warrican, the only specialist spinner in the XI, went on since he didn’t offer much improvement.
Although the left-arm spinner offered some semblance of control, the 50 was reached in just 10.4 overs, prompting Brathwaite to rapidly go on the defensive.
Although the left-arm spinner offered some semblance of control, the 50 was reached in just 10.4 overs, prompting Brathwaite to rapidly go on the defensive.
The West Indians attempted to stoke the left-hander’s desire to go for his shots in that area because he is not the most secure outside off-stump, particularly if the ball is angled across him. The first session proved that this tactic was unsuccessful as Jaiswal reached his fifty in just 49 balls and the pair produced their second consecutive century stand in as many innings.
At lunch, a total of 121 for no loss indicated that Brathwaite’s decision on the coin toss had not been successful.
Even though Gabriel repeatedly overstepped, the West Indies were considerably better when they came out for the second session. Jaiswal, 21, thought he had had enough of holding the ball while Holder continued to slant deliveries across him. After escaping a few stray bullets, he took another drive away from the body and came into a gully.
Even though Rohit wasn’t playing with his usual fluency during this time, he was reliable enough to hold off the bowlers. Then, he and fellow seasoned player Kohli, who was participating in his 500th international match, concluded that moderation was preferable than bravery and avoided taking any chances.
On number 80, though, a peach from Warrican that spun past his outside edge and rattled the off-stump defeated the captain. Warrican’s name might not be on the list of the top modern spinners, but his reliability makes him a reliable bowler for his captain, and if he gets some traction off the pitch, he can dismiss quality players.
The skipper was however upset on number 80 by a peach from Warrican that whirled past his outside edge and shook the off-stump. Although Warrican’s name may not be among the best contemporary spinners, his consistency makes him a trustworthy bowler for his captain, and if he gains any momentum off the field, he has the ability to dismiss quality players.
