Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah demolished the West Indies batting lineup on the first day of the first Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. The West Indies fell for a mere 162 runs, with Siraj leading the assault. He took four wickets for 40 runs, while Bumrah supported him with three for 32.
Siraj set the tone early, claiming three wickets in a fiery morning spell. He added a fourth wicket after lunch, as the Windies struggled against India’s relentless bowling attack. Alongside Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets for 25 runs. Spinner Washington Sundar also contributed by taking one wicket, as the West Indies batters found it hard to settle in.
Despite a few notable contributions, including 32 from Justin Greaves, 26 from Shai Hope, and 24 from captain Roston Chase, the Windies saw their innings end swiftly. Their batting faltered under pressure, leaving India in a commanding position.
In response, India reached 121 for 2, just 41 runs behind by the end of the day. KL Rahul shone brightly in the evening session, finishing unbeaten on 53 off 114 balls. His innings displayed calm determination and deft stroke play, crucial in stabilizing the Indian innings after an early setback.
India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) after he edged a delivery from Jayden Seales to the slips and witnessed debutant B Sai Sudharsan dismissed cheaply for just 7 runs by Chase. However, Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill (18 not out) steadied the ship, ensuring the team’s progress was not hindered, even as rain briefly interrupted play.
India’s bowlers established control over the match, and the batsmen appeared unfazed by the cloudy conditions. The team’s strong performance on Day 1 set the stage for what seems to be a fascinating contest ahead in this two-match Test series.
The team’s approach and resilience reflect India’s aim to assert dominance against the West Indies and carry momentum into the remainder of the series. As the series progresses, fans will be keen to see if India can maintain their form or if the West Indies can mount a comeback.
