India vs West Indies 1st Test, Day 2: Kohli's maiden double ton puts in commanding position

India strike after declaration 

Virat Kohli kisses the pitch after completing his first double century. (AP)

 

 

 

 

ST. JOHN'S (Antigua and Barbuda): India again dominated play Friday in the first test, taking a 535-run lead over the West Indies at stumps on the second day.

The tourists declared on 566-8 with captain Virat Kohli hitting his maiden test double century before getting out without adding another run. Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared a 168-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Kohli, went for 113.

In reply, the hosts lost Rajendra Chandrika for 16 and were 31-1 at stumps.

India resumed on its overnight score of 302-4 and Kohli became the first India captain to score a double century overseas when he clipped off-spinner Roston Chase for a single in the last over before lunch.

 

Kohli was out to the second ball after lunch, dragging a delivery by West Indies quick Shannon Gabriel (2-65) onto his stumps.

The home bowlers did not seek to capitalize on the breakthrough and continued with a largely defensive line.

Ashwin and Wriddiman Saha added 71 runs for the sixth wicket before the latter was stumped off the bowling of Kraigg Brathwaite, giving wicketkeeper Shane Dowritch his first test dismissal, having earlier grassed a simple chance to remove Ashwin when he was on 43.

Ashwin and Amit Mishra (53) had a half-century stand for the seventh wickets before both batsmen fell to Brathwaite, giving him the best innings figures of 3-65.

The declaration came around an hour before stumps and the openers looked like getting through to the end of the day without loss, only for Chandrikda to edge a Mohammed Shami delivery through to the keeper with 10 minutes to go.

Brief Scores

India 1st innings: 566/8 decl (Virat Kohli 200, Ashwin 113; Devendra Bishoo 3/163).

West Indies 1st innings: 31/1 in 16 overs (Mohammed Shami 1/6).