IND vs WI, 1st Test: Rahane Shines With Battling 81 As Windies Make Strong Start

Reduced to 25/3, undervalued Rahane played a battling knock as he scored his 18th half-century to help India post 203/6 against the West Indies on the opening day

Jason Holder's decision to bowl first after winning the toss seems like a right choice after West Indies enjoyed a solid first day in Antigua, reducing India to 203/6 on day one of the first Test. India's top order fell quickly as Pujara, Mayank Aggarwal and captain Kohli returned back to the pavilion with just 8 overs bowled on the first day. From there, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane weathered the momentum of the Windies bowlers, and at lunch, India looked in a more decent state at 68/3. Reduced to 25/3 by opening bowlers Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel, undervalued Rahane played a battling knock as he scored his 18th half-century to help India post 203/6 against the West Indies on the opening day. K.L. Rahul (44 off 97) and Rahane shared a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed caught behind down the leg side off Roston Chase's bowling post lunch. As rain curtailed the second session and early tea was taken, Rahane was batting on 50 from 122 balls, his innings laced with seven fours. Along with Hanuma Vihari, who was batting on 18, the pair stitched together a unbroken 41-run partnership. Rahane, who hit his 18th fifty after a spell of poor performances, was dropped on 40 by Miguel Cummins off Chase. Rahane drove Cummins for his 50 off 117 deliveries before the skies opened up. Earlier, Roach (2/12) bowled a fiery spell to remove Agarwal. Pujara, India's rock at No.3, was undone by another Roach beauty. Kohli hit two boundaries and raced to nine from 12 deliveries before Gabriel set him up with two bouncers to ruffle the ace batsman. In the third ball, Kohli picked out debutant Shamarh Brooks at gully trying to cut another bouncer over point region. India, playing their first match of the World Test Championship, were in all sorts of trouble when vice-captain Rahane joined Rahul in the middle. West Indies captain Jason Holder had won the toss and chose to field first after toss was delayed due to a passing shower. Kohli said they would have batted anyway. India made no change to the team that played last seven months ago in Australia with R. Ashwin losing out to Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department. Hanuma Vihari was chosen over Rohit Sharma.