Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul headline Indian charge at the end of Day 1 against Windies

India dominated the first day of the first Test in Ahmedabad as they put up a clinical show against West Indies. Asked to bowl, India broke the spine of the visitors’ top-order ruthlessly, thanks to a blistering spell from Mohammed Siraj which laid the foundation for the hosts.

Siraj drew first blood as he sent Tagenarine Chanderpaul packing without the latter opening his account. Jasprit Bumrah doubled up India’s striking tally with the crucial scalp of John Campbell (8), reducing the Islanders to 20/2. Brandon King (13) who just started looking good couldn’t flip it into something of substance.

Siraj rattled through his defences as India could sniff further dominance. The hosts rode high on further Miyan Magic as Alick Athanaze (12) couldn’t conjure anything special either. West Indies were simply all over the place and the Indian bowlers looked relentless in their pursuit of wickets.

The visitors finally found hope in their wicket-keeper, Shai Hope (24) and their captain, Roston Chase (24) as the duo added 48 runs for the fifth wicket. Despite the short straw of resistance, it only felt like the Windies delaying the inevitable as an in-form Kuldeep Yadav joined the act too.

Kuldeep snuck one past Hope’s bat and pad to dismiss the senior pro, while Siraj bagged another in the form of Roston Chase, leaving the visitors wobbling again at 105/6. Khary Pierre (11) and Justin Greaves (32) added a few more runs to Windies’ total before Washington Sundar removed the former.

From thereon, it was just formality and a matter of time as India smashed through their counterparts sans any mercy. Bumrah sent Greaves’ stumps for a walk while Kuldeep Yadav struck another wicket in the form of Jomel Warrican (8). It was Bumrah again with the final blow as Johann Layne had no response to the pacer’s skill.

India bundled out West Indies for 162 as Siraj was the pick of the lot with figures of 4/40 while Bumrah coupled with him perfectly, chronicling numbers of 3/42.

India got off to a flying start while responding to what looked like a pretty lacklustre number on the board. Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to his destructive rhythm while Rahul was composed in his stance of being an anchor at the other end. Jaiswal (36) looked solid in the opening stand of 68 before Jayden Seales could get in an infringement for the visitors.

Much to India’s woes, Sai Sudharsan (7) couldn’t really get going as Roston Chase removed him in quick succession. However, that did very little to deter India’s spirits as their captain took centerstage and looked as fluid as ever. Gill stayed unbeaten for 18 while KL Rahul registered his 20th half-century, staying in the center for a well-orchestrated 53 at the end of the day. India totted up 121/2, trailing by 41 runs at Stumps on Day 1.

Brief scores:

West Indies – 162 (Justin Greaves 32, Shai Hope 26, Mohammed Siraj – 4/40)

India – 121/2 (KL Rahul – 53*, Yashasvi Jaiswal – 36, Jayden Seales – 1/21)

Day 1 final update – India trail by 41 runs