India’s fast bowlers made full use of the conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, October 2, to bowl out West Indies for 162 on the opening day of the first Test.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj led the attack with four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah claimed three as the visitors were dismissed in just 44.1 overs.
After deciding to bat first on a green-tinged surface, West Indies lost wickets quickly in the first session and were reduced to 42 for four. Siraj struck early to remove Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Brandon King, while Bumrah dismissed John Campbell. Alick Athanaze’s short stay ended when he edged to the slips off Siraj, leaving West Indies in deep trouble.
Shai Hope and Roston Chase offered some resistance, putting on 48 runs for the fifth wicket and attempting to steady the innings. Hope looked composed, playing confidently on the back foot and driving fluently, while Chase supported him with a watchful knock. However, just before lunch, Kuldeep Yadav found sharp turn and bowled Hope for 26, halting West Indies’ recovery.
After the break, India continued to dominate. Siraj struck again by getting Chase caught behind. He nearly had a fifth wicket when Justin Greaves was given out leg before, but the decision was overturned on review.
Bumrah then produced two trademark yorkers to clean bowl Greaves for 32 and Johann Layne soon after. Washington Sundar added to the pressure by trapping Khary Pierre in front of the stumps.
The innings ended when Jomel Warrican attempted a reverse sweep off Kuldeep, only for wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel to complete a sharp catch. With that dismissal, West Indies were bowled out midway through the second session.
The visitors’ batting lacked application on a surface offering movement, and apart from Greaves and Hope, none managed to build on their starts. Siraj finished with 4 wickets, Bumrah with 3, while Kuldeep and Washington chipped in with two and one wickets respectively.
India now have a strong platform as they prepare to begin their reply against an inexperienced West Indies bowling line-up.
