Ind vs WI 1st Test, Day 1: Virat Kohli ton puts India on top

Shikhar Dhawan, 84, misses ton

 

 

 

 

Antigua: India captain Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 143 to put India in a powerful position at 302-4 after Thursday's opening day of the first test against the West Indies.

 

The West Indies pace attack got some early assistance from the pitch at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and reduced India to 74-2 before Kohli took command, with his 143 coming from 197 balls with 16 boundaries.

 

He shared a 105-run stand for the third wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, who made 84 before falling to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who took three wickets.

 

Kohli chose to bat after winning the toss despite the prospect of early life in the pitch, and Shannon Gabriel in particular troubled the India batsmen.

 

Murali Vijay (7) was the first man to go, edging a Gabriel bouncer to Kraigg Brathwaite at second slip, who juggled the catch.

 

Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara (16) added 60 runs for the second wicket in a largely defensive stand against some confident bowling before Pujara became the first Bishoo victim, getting a leading edge to Brathwaite at point.

 

Kohli arrived at the crease and immediately swung the momentum India's way with some impressive stroke play.

 

He and Dhawan gave India the upper hand before Bishoo dismissed Dhawan lbw on an attempted sweep just before the tea interval.

 

Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (22) put on 57 runs before Bishoo struck again, inducing a mistimed pull by Rahane to give Darren Bravo a simple catch at midwicket.

 

Kohli is only three runs short of Rahul Dravid's record of the highest score by an India captain in the West Indies.

 

Brief Scores

 

India: 302/4 in 90 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 84, Virat Kohli 143 batting; Devendra Bishoo 3/107) vs West Indies.