India took command of the opening Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, unleashing a ruthless pace assault before consolidating with the bat.
Mohammed Siraj (4-40) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-42) were the chief destroyers, combining to bundle out the visitors for a modest 162 in just 44.1 overs.
Siraj’s spell was electric, dismantling the top order with sharp movement and bounce. Bumrah, clinical as ever, polished off the tail with a pair of trademark yorkers that rattled the stumps.
The collapse began early: Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s return ended with a first-over duck, while John Campbell departed on review to Bumrah. Brandon King’s promising start was cut short when he shouldered arms to a ball that crashed into his middle stump, and Alick Athanaze followed soon after, edging Siraj to slip.
From 42-4, the West Indies never truly recovered. Shai Hope (26) and Roston Chase (21) stitched together a 48-run stand, but their resistance was broken by Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled Hope with a teasing delivery that dipped and turned sharply. Siraj removed Chase after lunch, Washington Sundar trapped Khary Pierre leg-before, and the tail crumbled under Bumrah’s late burst. Only Justin Greaves (32) showed any significant fight.
Rahul’s composed half-century
India’s reply was led by K.L. Rahul, who displayed resilience and elegance en route to an unbeaten 53 — his 20th Test fifty. With six crisp boundaries and an array of late drives and cuts, Rahul anchored the innings with measured authority despite briefly wincing from a hamstring niggle.
He first combined with debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal, who struck 36 before edging behind off Jayden Seales. B. Sai Sudharsan managed only seven on debut, falling lbw to Roston Chase, but Rahul’s composure ensured stability. Shubman Gill (18 not out) offered steady support as India closed at 121-2, trailing by only 41 runs with eight wickets intact.
Position of strength
By stumps, India had not only neutralized the visitors’ bowling but also positioned themselves for a dominant first-innings lead. With Rahul and Gill settled and conditions expected to ease further on Day Two, the hosts appear poised to extend their advantage.
The West Indies, by contrast, will need an extraordinary effort to claw back into the contest after being outplayed with both bat and ball on the opening day.
