Ahmedabad: A composed half-century from KL Rahul guided India to 121/2, trailing the West Indies by 41 runs at the close of Day 1 of the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
India lost just two wickets in the third session, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan falling to disciplined West Indies bowling. Jaiswal and Rahul had given India a steady start, taking the team to 23/0 in 12.4 overs before rain interrupted play. After resuming, Jaiswal began finding boundaries, bringing India to 59/0 in 17 overs.
Jaiswal fell for 36 in the 19th over, edging a short delivery behind to the keeper, with Jayden Seales claiming the first wicket. Sai Sudharsan joined Rahul at the crease and, by drinks, India stood at 83/1 with Rahul unbeaten on 39 and Sudharsan 5*.
West Indies captain Roston Chase soon struck, trapping Sudharsan lbw for 7. Rahul and India captain Shubman Gill then steadied the innings, with Rahul completing his 20th Test fifty in 101 balls despite a hamstring concern. India ended the day at 121/2, still trailing the West Indies’ first-innings total of 162.
Earlier, India’s bowlers had bundled out the West Indies for a modest 162, with Mohammed Siraj (4/40), Jasprit Bumrah (3/42), Kuldeep Yadav (2/25), and Washington Sundar (1/9) sharing the spoils. After resuming from 90/5, the West Indies lost wickets steadily, with notable contributions from Justin Greeves (32) and Shai Hope (26). Left-hander Jayden Seales (6)* remained unbeaten as the innings closed.
Brief Scores:
West Indies: 162 all out (Justin Greeves 32, Shai Hope 26; Mohammed Siraj 4/40)
India: 121/2 (KL Rahul 53*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36; Jayden Seales 1/21)
