India vs West Indies 2nd Test story reads India slightly ahead after an intense day one of the second Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica. The fifties from top-order batsmen Mayank Agarwal and Virat Kohli helped India to grab the initiatives despite a great spell of bowling from West Indian captain Jason Holder who picked up three wickets with impeccable line and length.
Mayank and Kohli formed the backbone of Indian innings
At India vs West Indies 2nd Test, West Indies again won the toss and sent India in who went with the same squad. Indian openers started briskly and reached 30 in first six overs when Holder brought himself in the bowling attack and immediately got success. KL Rahul failed again as a good length ball got the shoulder of his bat and went to the debutant Rahkeem Cornwall. India vs West Indies 2nd Test the 6’6” tall Cornwall who weighs 140 Kg making his debut and was soon involved in bowling his off-spin and after a period of tight scoring got his maiden test wicket when Cheteshwar Pujara’s cut went straight to the fielder at point. New batsman Kohli and Agarwal took India to lunch and eventually added 69 runs for the third wicket before Agarwal was caught at slip after scoring 53. This is his third half-century in international cricket. He was also reprieved a few balls earlier when he successfully overturned a caught behind decision against him using DRS.
By this time, Kohli was set and the new batsman, the hero of the last test match Ajinkya Rahane decided to play the second fiddle and mostly focussed on singles. Kohli reached his 22nd test fifty and looked good for many more. But soon after tea, both Rahane and Kohli were dismissed by Kemar Roach and Holder respectively. Both the catches were pouched by the wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton, the second debutant of West Indies squad.
On 203/5, West Indies had a chance to put pressure on India but Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant batted mostly untroubled for rest of the 18 overs and added 62 runs. Vihari was solid as ever and reached 42 by close of play. Pant looked unsettled at times and his battle with Cornwall was an interesting passage of play. Pant also hit the only six of this innings off Roston Chase in his way to an unbeaten 27.
Holder and Roach tried hard
Jason Holder and Kemar Roach were clearly the pick of Windies bowlers and kept troubling the batsmen throughout the day. Holder picked up both the openers and Kohli in his 20 overs conceding just 39 runs. Roach got the only wicket of Rahane but with some more luck could have picked one-two more. Cornwall bowled 27 overs and despite only a solitary wicket gave a good account of his control and skill.
Shannon Gabriel was a disappointment for the Windies. After bowling three overs in his first spell he was out of the attack for long period due to some illness. He came later and was ineffective and also wasted the new ball when Holder took it in the 83rd over.
First hour key on the second day
It may sound a cliché but the first session and specifically the first hour can decide how this match will progress. West Indies would hope to use the morning freshness and pick up some early wickets to get India bowled as soon as possible, preferably within 300-350. India, on the other hand, would like their overnight batsmen to bat as long as possible and reach at least 400 with help from Ravindra Jadeja and their three fast bowlers.
Brief scores:
India 264/5 in 90 overs at stumps vs West Indies in Kingston
Virat Kohli (76), Mayank Agarwal (55); Jason Holder 3/39