India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1 from Rajkot: Shaw hits maiden ton as India dominate
India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1: IND 364/4 vs WI at Stumps
India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1 from Rajkot: At 18 years and 329 days, Shaw (134 off 154) reached the milestone off just 99 balls, adding to a host of records he holds in his blossoming career. He did not any show nerves of a debutant and made short work of the listless West Indies attack alongside Cheteshwar Pujara (86) as the two shared a 206-run stand after the early fall of K L Rahul (0). In the process, Shaw also became the second youngest Indian to score a maiden Test ton after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were in the middle when tea was taken. Take a look at the highlights that went down on Day 1 of the 1st Test between India and West Indies in Rajkot.. (IND vs WI Scorecard) (Click Here for Coverage in Hindi)Highlights, India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1 from Rajkot:
* We're done with today's action. Do join us on Friday for Day 2 which promises to be run-filled as the pitch will be at its best for batting. The Windies will need to be more disciplined in their approach. Tune in at 9.30 AM IST for all the action.
* For India, the early loss of KL Rahul was the only moment when they would have felt any pressure. After that, the double century partnership between Shaw and Pujara forced Windies into submission and then the pair of Rahane and Kohli further inflicted the damage. Pujara and Rahane would be gutted though for missing on a golden opportunity to get big runs under their belt. Anyway, Virat Kohli is still out there, unbeaten on 72, and will be eyeing a daddy hundred. We can expect fireworks with Rishabh Pant around and there is still enough batting left for the home team to push their total in excess of 500.
* The day belong to a young 18-year boy - Prithvi Shaw. There was so much build up leading to his debut and the young man handled all the pressure with ease. He played some extraordinary shots, particularly off his back foot, and showed why he is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. It was a truly entertaining knock where many found a mixture of Sehwag and Tendulkar in his style of play. Plenty of records got demolished in his very first Test innings and the most notable one was him becoming the second youngest Indian to score a hundred. A star is born.
17.10 IST: Another session dominated by India as they end a satisfying first day of this Test match. The evening session saw 38 overs bowled where India lost the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane but also scored a massive 132 runs in it.
17.06 IST: India 364/4 at Stumps vs West Indies at Rajkot. Shaw 134, Kohli 72*
17.03 IST: SIX! Not in control but it has gone all the way! Gabriel digs in a short delivery, well-targeted at the batsman, doesn't matter to Pant if the close of play is just around the corner. He goes on with his pull shot, doesn't get it away off the meat of his blade but it still flies over fine leg for a biggie. IND 362/4 in 88.3 overs
16.56 IST: Shannon Gabriel to Virat Kohli, Big movement there. But it bothers the keeper more than the batsman. Gabriel hurls it on a good length around off, Kohli makes an easy leave and after going past him, the ball moves in massively. It puts Dowrich's agility to full test who passes it with flying colours. Nice athleticism to dive across to his left to collect the ball.
16.54 IST: Shannon Gabriel to Virat Kohli, Width on offer outside off, Kohli dabs it fine down to third man and takes a couple of runs.
16.47 IST: FOUR BYES! As if the Indian batsmen aren't scoring enough themselves that Windies are helping them with gifts like these. Chase fails to grip the new ball and fires it way down the leg side. Kohli lets it be and Dowrich has no chance of stopping it. A boundary at fine leg. IND 348/4 in 85.1 overs
16.45 IST: FOUR! Gabriel tries to test the new batsman with a short delivery around leg. Pant swivels inside the crease to get under the bounce and pulls it fine down the leg side for a boundary. IND 344/4 in 85 overs
16.40 IST: Shannon Gabriel to Rishabh Pant, Good length ball on middle and off, Rishabh blocks it off his back foot. Kohli is seen saying something to Pant with a smile and Rishabh also flashes his smile in response. Sorry, not good in lip reading.
*Second new ball has been taken. Shannon Gabriel returns to make the first use of it.
16.38 IST: Rishabh Pant is the new man in
16.36 IST: OUT! Chase removes Rahane for 41. There is some spike on the Snicko and Rahane has to walk back. Windies are delighted. They have got a wicket against the run of play. The move to not opt for the second new ball and continue with the old one has provided them a breakthrough. Chase is the one to break this 105-run stand. Not a delivery to brag about though. It's short and wide outside off, begging to be dispatched. Rahane obliges as he goes deep inside the crease with a square cut. But he fails to middle his shot and Dowrich immediately jumps in joy after collecting the ball. They appeal and the finger goes up. Rahane has a chat with his skipper who seldom says no to a DRS taking opportunity. The replays roll in and Snicko puts everything to rest. Waste of a review, none left for India now. IND 337/4 in 83.3 overs vs West Indies in Rajkot.
16.28 IST: 100-run stand comes up! Full and flighted on middle, Kohli knocks it down to long on for a run. They continue to grow from strength to strength.
16.25 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings! Brathwaite fires it full and wide down the leg side, Kohli deflects it fine down the leg side and finds the rope. IND 329/3 in 80.1 overs
*2nd New ball available but not taken yet. Kraigg Brathwaite to bowl his off-breaks
16.23 IST: FOUR! On the shorter side around off, Rahane immediately rocks back and cuts it through covers for a cracking boundary. Have lost count of the number of short ball lollies served to the Indian batsmen. IND 325/3 in 79.2 overs
16.16 IST: FOUR! Shot! Tossed up ball around off, Kohli advances down the track and plays a wristy cover drive through the gap. Eye-soothing one. IND 318/3 in 77.2 overs
16.13 IST: The Windies' search for a breakthrough continues. To be honest, their field setup is not for wicket-taking anyway. Quite defensive. The bowlers are lacking plans. What to say about India? They are cruising and nothing seems to stop them at the moment. 13 overs left in the day's play. Let's hope we get all of them bowled.
*Drinks on the field, again.
16.09 IST: FIFTY! Virat Kohli scores his 20th Test half-century. IND 313/3 in 76.3 overs vs West Indies in Rajkot.
16.06 IST:
16.01 IST: FOUR! Bishoo drops it short and around off, spinning away, Rahane goes back and cuts it through the line. It comes off the outer half of his blade and speeds away to the third man fence. IND 308/3 in 74.2 overs
15.55 IST: A bit short and around off, spinning away, Kohli hangs back and punches it down the ground. He calls for a run and as soon as Lewis fails to cut it off with a dive from mid on, they pick up a couple more. 300 up for India! Kohli 45*, Rahane 27*
15.54 IST: Bishoo has now conceded 100 runs in this match in a total of 28 overs
15.52 IST: Devendra Bishoo to Ajinkya Rahane, Soft edge, not carrying to Shai Hope. Bishoo gets his length right for once in this over and lands it full on middle. Rahane is forward in defence but it spins away to take the outside edge. Since it's played with a soft bottom hand, the edge doesn't carry to first slip.
15.51 IST: Devendra Bishoo to Ajinkya Rahane, Yet another shorter delivery by Bishoo. Rahane is picking the length very early. Immediately camps back and cuts it through point. This time Ambris quickly gets across to his left in the deep and they take a couple.
15.48 IST: FOUR! A leg spinner on the shorter side, Rahane rocks back and whacks it through covers. The fielder in the deep sprints across to his right but fails to cut it off. Bishoo is not too happy with the effort put in by Ambris. Maybe, the bowler demanded a dive which didn't come. IND 292/3 in 70.1 overs
15.45 IST: EDGED AND FOUR! Just wide of first slip. Chase lands it short and around off, Rahane goes back to cut but it's too close to his body. He still goes on with the shot and gets it away off the outside edge. It flies past the outstretched right hand of Shai Hope and screams away to the third man fence. IND 287/3 in 69.3 overs
*Roston Chase is into the attack now
15.40 IST: Devendra Bishoo to Ajinkya Rahane, As soon as Bishoo drags his length short, Rahane goes deep inside the crease and cuts it through point for a run.
15.33 IST: Devendra Bishoo to Ajinkya Rahane, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball around off and then offers a straight bat in defense. Got deceived in flight a bit, otherwise he was eyeing for a big shot.
15.29 IST: Keemo Paul to Virat Kohli, A delightful stroke off the front foot by Kohli. His third drive in this over but once again he fails to find the gap. That cover fielder makes a diving stop to his right. Virat is outside his crease but sends his partner back seeing that effort. Called a no ball for overstepping.
15.22 IST: Keemo Paul to Virat Kohli, In the region outside off, the length is there to be driven but Kohli has nothing to do with it. Called a no ball for overstepping.
*Keemo Paul is back on.
15.13 IST: FOUR! And shots like this will be demoralizing. Gabriel is struggling with his length. This time he is too full around off, Rahane just presents the full face of his willow as he eases his straight drive down the ground for a boundary. IND 269/3 in 61.5 overs
15.08 IST: Ouch! That would have hurt. A flighted delivery, Kohli cracks it on the full and it hits the silly point fielder. The ball deflects to covers. No pain showed there by the fielder under the helmet.
15.06 IST: Poor line again to begin the over. A length ball sliding down the leg side, Kohli nudges it off his pads through backward square leg. The fine leg fielder makes the stop by running across to his left and they take a run.
15.02 IST: Nicely played. A flighted full ball on middle, Kohli flicks it past the left side of the mid-wicket fielder. The mid on fielder moves across to his right to stop the ball and the batsmen cross.
14.54 IST: Wrong length to begin with. An overpitched one on middle, Rahane flicks it across the line and the mid on fielder rushes across to his right. He puts in a slide to stop the racing ball and the batsmen change ends.
14.49 IST: Just a bit short in length on this occasion, around middle and leg, Kohli goes deep inside the crease and works it through square leg for a run.
14.45 IST: FOUR! Lovely timing and also a very ordinary fielding effort. Lewis pitches it up and around off, Kohli times his off drive to perfection as it races through. Gabriel rushes across to his left from mid off, puts in a late diving effort as it speeds past him to the fence. IND 249/3 in 55.1 overs
14.38 IST: Strides forward to a full ball and eases it through mid off for a run. Bishoo won't mind the batsman driving as there is turn on this surface and any mistake may result in an outside edge.
14.36 IST: A little short and on off, spinning away, Kohli punches it in front of square on the off side and takes a single.
14.31 IST: FOUR! Straight drive and a classic shot by Kohli. A delightful shot to get us underway. What a player! Receives a gentle half-volley on middle and caresses it straight down the ground with a nice flourish of his bat. So good to the eyes, Kohli with his straight drive. IND 236/3 in 51.3 overs
* The evening session is about to begin and we welcome you again for all the action. The Windies have a two new batsmen in the middle and would like to dismiss them early. But the names of those two are Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, so easier said than done. Right? Sherman Lewis to kickoff proceedings. Two slips in place.
DAY 3, THIRD SESSION
* 39 overs left in the day. If the Windies bowl all of these, I daresay my fingers are going to get quite some pain by the end. Realistically speaking, we are looking at the visitors falling 8-9 overs short. Brathwaite might have to opt for the spinners a bit more than usual to try and complete as many overs as possible.
* The Windies have looked listless right after the first Drinks break. They have bowled an odd good ball here and there but simply have not been consistent. They will consider themselves lucky in taking two wickets. More pain might be there come the final session.
* India's session without a doubt but just that wicket of Shaw in the dying moments takes some gloss of it. 99 runs came in 26 overs, for the loss of Pujara and Shaw. Both dismissals can be touted to loss in concentration, rather than excellent bowling.We'll be back in a short while.
14.10 IST: Full and around off, Rahane closes the bat-face tightly and defends. TEA ON DAY 1.
14.06 IST: ALMOST GETS BOWLED! Ashwin and Jadeja will like that. Full and outside off, Prithvi comes forward to defend but the ball spins in a long way, takes the inside edge and just goes over the stumps, past the keeper, to fine leg! The batsmen take two.
14.01 IST: FOUR! Full and outside off, not that much room. But Shaw still goes after it. Ends up slicing his shot and gets it over cover. The ball almost stops near the ropes but in the end, touches it.
13.56 IST: Off the mark on the 10th ball. Half volley on middle, VK flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a single.
13.50 IST: FOUR! Too close for comfort. Short and outside off, Shaw goes back and looks to cut but is too close to the ball. Ends up getting a thick outside edge which flies past first slip, to the third man fence. IND 218/2 in 46.2 overs
13.49 IST: That is a beauty! Gabriel lands it on a length, around off, Shaw perhaps thought that it is a bouncer and wanted to duck. But then, he realized that the ball is not bouncing that much and tries to work it to the leg side with a closed bat-face. In the end, got squared up and was lucky that the ball did not take the edge.
13.40 IST: Another appeal, this time for a catch. Down the leg side, Kohli looks to tuck but misses. Dowrich gets across to his left and then appeals after taking that, but no bat.
* Skipper Virat Kohli walks in at number 4, replacing Pujara.
13.33 IST: OUT! Lewis gets his maiden Test wicket and it's Cheteshwar Pujara who departs at 86. India lose their second wicket but it has been a brilliant knock by him. A rare glorious moment for the Windies as they prize out the 206-run stand. But a big moment for the debutant. Nothing special on the delivery, but just a lapse in concentration from the batsman.
13.29 IST: Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single. He wants the second but his partner is not the least bit interested.
13.24 IST: FOUR! Short, wide, outside off, help yourself. And Shaw does exactly that. Rocks back and cuts it aerially behind point. THE 200-RUN STAND IS UP. IND 205/1 in 41.3 overs
13.21 IST: FOUR! 200 up for India and Shaw has cut that perfectly for it to race to the boundary line. Short and outside off, Shaw waits for the ball to come to him and guides it behind point for a boundary. It is not all about saw for Shaw. IND 200/1 in 40.4 overs
13.17 IST: Is that the first time Shaw has missed out on scoring? By the looks of it, yes. The first leg bye in this innings. On a length, around middle and leg, Prithvi misses his tuck. He too, seems shocked that he has missed out on a scoring opportunity. Stands dead still for a moment before he is called through for a single.
13.14 IST: Full and around off, Shaw drives this straight back. Bishoo tries to stop it with his right hand but deflects it towards mid on. Pujara, in an attempt to get back, dives back in his crease. Seeing the mid on fielder a bit wide, Prithvi wants a single but poor old Pujjy is taking a lonnnng time to get back onto his feet.
* FACT: Shaw scored his maiden ton in Ranji Trophy on this ground, and now his maiden Test century as well
13.10 IST: India maintain their ascendancy post Lunch. 60 runs have come in just 11.5 overs. The good thing for India is that they have come from both ends, not from just Shaw's bat alone. He is on a different planet altogether and would like to see - when was the last time Pujara played so quickly?
* Oh dear. Not good. Not good at all. Keemo Paul is on his haunches and seems to be struggling with the heat. His team mates are surrounding him and the physio is out too. Doesn't look like cramps. More like dehydration. Very difficult to play in such conditions if one is not used to these.
13.03 IST: FOUR! Straight drive and Pujara is in his 80's. These two have been phenomenal today. Overpitched on middle, Pujara comes forward and drives it straight back to where it came from. Once again, Shaw is down at the non-striker's end. Not because he is struggling but because he was trying to get back into his crease. IND 193/1 in 36.5 overs
13.00 IST: Don't think this bloke will allow any spinner to bowl a string of dots to him. Comes down the track and milks it through square leg for a single.
12.57 IST: FOUR! That will be the 28th in this innings. Not for the first time have we seen Bishoo drop it short to Pujara. The local lad goes back and cuts it behind point. The stand is worth 183 now.
12.53 IST: WAS THAT A DROP? The keeper does not look too happy with himself. Neither is Bishoo. Short and outside off, Pujara rocks back and looks to cut but misses, at least from the first look to the naked eye. Shane Dowrich looks to grab it and Bishoo gets excited but then the keeper fumbles. Hard to say any edge from that angle.
12.50 IST: FOUR! Gift. Short and outside off, turning away, Pujara goes back, waits for the ball to come to him and cuts it behind point. Lot of boundaries scored already. This is the 27th four in just the 34th over. Pujara himself has scored 12 of those in his 72.
12.43 IST: Prithvi Shaw scores his maiden Test century on Debut! 15th Indian to do so. Proud moment for him and even more for his teammates. Take a bow, Prithvi Shaw. He is just an 18-year old. Who knows, how many more will he have by the time his Test career ends? Too early to think about that. His career has just taken off.
12.39 IST: ALMOST A RUN OUT! Smiles with relief in the Indian camp. Pujara was nearly made a sacrificial lamb there. On middle, Shaw goes back and works it towards square leg. He takes the single and then looks to come back for the second. Pujara responds but then is sent back. He stutters, looks to get back and eventually dives in.
* Right then. Here comes the moment. Shaw on 98. Can he get to his century in this over?
12.36 IST: FOUR! What a drive and Shaw is on 97 now. Chills! Shaw is just a hit away from a century. Half volley outside off, Prithvi reaches out, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through the covers for a boundary. No protection in the deep. IND 170/1 in 30.4 overs
* Just an update from the Under-19 Asia Cup. India are currently playing Bangladesh in Dhaka in the first semi-final and have recovered from 77/5 to post a competitive 172. On a slow and turning track, it will be interesting to see how the hosts respond. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will feature in the other semi-final tomorrow.
12.25 IST: FOUR BYES! The runs keep on piling. Short and outside off, Bishoo looks to cut but misses. The keeper is beaten by the spin and bounce while first slip does not have even half a chance.
12.22 IST: FOUR! Shaw is in his 90's. Dropped short, Shaw goes back and pulls it through square leg for another boundary. Rainy season is over in major parts of India but in Rajkot, it is raining. Only, instead of water drops, it is boundaries. IND 163/1 in 27.5 overs
12.19 IST: FOUR! A boundary to end the over. Half volley on middle, Pujara comes forward and whips it wide of Devendra Bishoo at mid on. 11 from the over. IND 153/1 in 27 overs
12.17 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings. On a length outside off, Pujara waits for the ball to come to him and dabs it to third man for a boundary. IND 147/1 in 26.3 overs
12.13 IST: FOUR! Another one and he is in his 80's! More evidence of what is mentioned on the previous ball. A slightly short ball on middle, Shaw pull it over mid-wicket and gets boundaries in succession! IND 141/1 in 25.3 overs
12.12 IST: FOUR! And right away Shaw smashes that for a boundary. He is not letting any gears down. Full and outside off, Shaw gets down and mows it through mid-wicket for a boundary! Break or no break, this kid does not care. IND 137/1 in 25.2 overs
12.11 IST: Bishoo is brought back and hopefully the visitors can come up with something. Shaw and Pujara resume play. Let's get started.
* DAY 1, SECOND SESSION ...
* Not surprisingly, the visitors look flat and decimated already. There are fielding lapses being seen and the bowling is being more on the shorter side. All this on just the opening session of a Test match. Hopefully, we get some competitive cricket in the second session.
* You don't need to be a rocket scientist to find out that this is India's session. 133 runs, at a run rate of more than 5 an over. More than half of those being scored by an 18-year old. Oh yes, it is India's present with the future looking more than good.
11.30 IST: 1st Test, Day 1: India 133/1 at Lunch against West Indies in Rajkot. Shaw 75*, Pujara 56*
11.29 IST: EDGY FOUR! Too close for comfort. A short ball outside off, Shaw makes up his mind to play the cut but is cramped for room as the ball comes back in a long way. IND 131/1 in 24.3 overs
11.23 IST: FIFTY and FOUR! Cheteshwar Pujara brings up his 19th Test half-century. The two have been outstanding so far. And it has come in just 67 balls. Consider this - he was on 2 from 18 deliveries. Surprisingly, this is just his first against Windies in 5 innings, with the previous 50-plus score crossing the 100-mark. IND 121/1 in 23 overs
11.20 IST: FOUR! Shaw at it again. This lad is going for it. Cracking shot. Short and outside off, Shaw lashes out the cut and gets it behind point to find the fence. IND 116/1 in 22.2 overs
11.16 IST: FOUR! Pristine timing and effective precision! There is a man at short mid-wicket and a man at deep mid-wicket. Yet Pujara, with an efficiency second to none, finds the gap and the boundary. IND 108/1 in 21.1 overs
* UPDATE: Pujara has a small bottle of water in his pocket. Not a bad way to replenish oneself in this heat
11.10 IST: NO BALL! The second in this session and both have been, not surprisingly, by You-Know-Who. Nope, he is not Voldemort, if any Harry Potter fans are reading this. Gabriel bends his back and stretches his foot by a bit more than the permissible margin. Pujara lets it through.
11.07 IST: FOUR! Another one! Hundred up for India and it has been a masterclass by a young lad. Can he go all the way? It would be an ideal dream start for Shaw. This is overpitched but the result is the same! Toying with the bowling, is Prithvi. Chase tosses this up outside off, Shaw comes forward and threads this through the covers. Moves to 61 from 62 balls with 9 boundaries. IND 102/1 in 19.5 overs
11.06 IST: FOUR! That was a freebie and Shaw is hammering Chase. Short and outside off, Shaw rocks back and punches it through the covers. There is a man in the deep, but he is at point. No point in even trying to chase. IND 98/1 in 19.4 overs
11.03 IST: On a length outside off, Shaw punches it through backward point. The fielder from gully dives to his right and gets a hand to it, deflecting the ball towards third man. A single taken.
10.59 IST: FOUR! Lovely shot. Full on middle, Pujara comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder from long on hares to his right, puts in a dive but comes second best. IND 89/1 in 18 overs
10.57 IST: HALF CENTURY ON DEBUT! Prithvi Shaw scores his maiden Test half-century. Just the 12th Indian opener to do so in his first innings. Already making raves and the class is there to see for all. Full on middle, Shaw pushes it towards long on and gets to the milestone. He has done the hard work. Now, for the temperament to make it count. IND 85/1 in 17.4 overs
10.53 IST: FOUR! Pujara hammers that. West Indies are feeling the heat. We are now witnessing a boundary ball almost every over. A short ball, down the leg side, Pujara goes back and pulls it behind square leg for a boundary. IND 82/1 in 16.4 overs
10.49 IST: Now it is dropped short. Shaw goes back and plays his favourite shot - the punch. Gets it behind point where it is saved with a slide. Two runs taken.
* Roston Chase to bowl now.
10.46 IST: FOUR! Pujara this time has a crack.Jumps out once again and whips it wide of mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 72/1 in 14.2 overs
10.43 IST: FOUR! Shaw is in his forties and he has played amazingly well so far. Finally a cover drive gets full justice. Half of his shots on the off side have found fielders but this one finds the gap. Full and outside off, Shaw leans and drives it through the covers. The man dives to his right but in vain. The stand moves to 63 from 76 balls with Shaw reaching 42 from 42 deliveries. IND 66/1 in 13.3 overs
10.41 IST: FOUR! This lad is continuing to impress with his wide array of shots. Half volley on middle, the opener drives it straight back. Mid on dives to his left, but in vain. IND 62/1 in 13.2 overs
* DRINKS. Prithvi Shaw's session. He has been in the news right from last afternoon and continues to be, with every ball that he is facing and every shot that he is playing. He has shown no signs of nerves at all and taken the attack to the opposition. Attack - yes. With a strike rate of 91.67 in a Test match, what else would you say? One of my colleague, ABK, jokes - he looks like a combination of Sehwag and Tendulkar. The former for flair. The latter for class and temperament.
10.33 IST: Slightly slower in pace, outside off, 128 kph, Prithvi reads it well. Waits for the ball to come to him and then dabs it towards point for a quick single.
* Keemo Paul is back on. 2-0-16-0 in his first spell. He replaces Lewis.
10.28 IST: FOUR! WOAH! Where did that shot come from?! Shaw bringing variety in. Fifty comes up for India as well and a fifty partnership for the two. It's been a lively first session so far. Full and outside off, tossed up a bit, Shaw leans and lofts it straight back over the bowler. The ball lands just inside the ropes near long off. Shaw moves to 31 from 31 balls and this is fifth four. IND 53/1 in 10.3 overs
10.27 IST: FOUR! IND 48/1 in 10.1 overs
10.23 IST: FOUR! Well played shot by Pujara. Third boundary in the last four balls for Pujara. Short and outside off, the local boy gets on top of the bounce and punches it through point. Finds the gap and the boundary. IND 41/1 in 9.3 overs
10.20 IST: The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. Sneak a single through.
* Spin time now. Devendra Bishoo is inserted.
10.15 IST: FOUR! EVEN BETTER! Pujara is now getting into his stride. Full on middle, Cheteshwar drives this straight back. Shaw at the other end is nearly forced into a complete split as he falls flat on his back side. Pujara moves to 10 with 2 boundaries. The stand is worth 32 now. IND 35/1 in 8 overs
10.09 IST: FOUR! MAJESTIC! The margin for error is a bare minimum on this track. Pretty full, around off, Pujara just gives it a bit of a direction. Past the non-striker and to the long on fence. IND 31/1 in 7.4 overs
10.00 IST: Already men have spread out for Shaw. Full and on middle, he flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
* Early bowling change. Sherman Lewis to bowl, replacing Keemo Paul. Not surprising, given that the latter went for 16 in 2 overs. The debutant is a right-arm pacer, with 49 wickets in First Class cricket, at an average of around 26 and a strike rate of close to 47. Got his Test cap from Ian Bishop earlier today.
* All the Windies players are wearing black-arm bands as a mark of respect for Kemar Roach's late grandmother who passed away earlier this week.
09.55 IST: FOUR! Uppish but over the infield. Shaw is not letting any opportunity waste. Short and outside off, normally batsmen at this juncture of the game let balls go but not this kid. IND 24/1 in 4 overs
09.52 IST: FOUR! Badly lined. A length ball, down the leg side, Shaw just gives it a little tickle and finds the fine leg fence. IND 20/1 in 3.3 overs
09.51 IST: FOUR! Another boundary for this young lad. Flicks it through square leg. On middle and leg, Shaw tucks it through mid-wicket. Sunil Ambris gives it a good chase from short mid-wicket, gets to the ball and then tries to pull it back, but in vain. IND 16/1 in 3.2 overs
09.49 IST: NO BALL! The first of hopefully, not many. Gabriel does not have a great history with overstepping. And he has made a mark in his second over straightaway. Oversteps by a big margin, just about touches the popping crease, lands it a touch short and Shaw ducks.
09.44 IST: That is a jaffa. He has got his tail up for sure. The pace is up - AT 140 KPH. A length ball outside off, Pujara looks to play that from his crease but the ball comes back in a long way and goes right between bat and pad. Plenty of movement.
09.41 IST: FOUR! What a shot and what a way to announce your arrival. Shaw times that to perfection. First boundary for Shaw in Test cricket. Fractionally short outside off, Prithavi stands tall and punches it through cover to find the ropes! IND 7/1 in 1.5 overs
09.40 IST: In comes one of the local lads - Cheteshwar Pujara, pretty much earlier than he would have expected. Keemo Paul to bowl from the other end.
09.038 IST: OUT! Gabriel removes Rahul for 0. Waste of a review by Rahul. Gabriel has struck in the first over. Beauty of a delivery after a wasted first few balls. On a length outside off, Rahul puts in half a stride but fails to cover the line. The ball comes back in a long way and hits him flush on the pads. Gabriel appeals and appeals but umpire Ian Gould is not impressed. Eventually, after a long thought, he raises his finger. Rahul walks across to his partner, has a chat and then signals for the review. Bad choice. Hawk Eye shows the impact in line and the ball crashing into the middle and leg stumps. A blob for Rahul then. IND 3/0 in 0.5 overs
9.35 IST: 3 RUNS! Shaw is up and running. And a nice way to do so as well. A length ball outside off, not as wide as the previous one, Prithvi gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers. The fielder from point gets to the ball, puts in a slide, pulls the ball back in but it rolls back towards the ropes. However, he dives after coming out and saves the boundary. Three runs taken.
* The anthems are done and the players make their way out to the middle. A big, big moment for Prithvi Shaw as he takes the field, ahead of Lokesh Rahul. Now, the Windies follow suit. Shannon Gabriel will make the first use of the new cherry. Shaw will face him. Amazing. Normally, the senior pro takes strike first up but not this kid. Here we go. Let's play!
* Virat Kohli says the surface is nice and dry and the grass is there to hold it together. Reckons that the conditions are good to play cricket as well and feels that the spinners will come into play on Day 3 and further. Feels sad for Shardul Thakur on missing out but is equally excited to see the young Prithvi Shaw and Umesh Yadav in the playing XI. On the team aim, Virat stresses that the basics should not be let go of - the batsmen need to get runs while the bowlers should not be letting their focus dip.
* Kraigg Brathwaite says that he also wanted to bat first. But now, hopes that his bowlers strike with the new ball and get some early wickets. Is eager to stay aggressive and enjoy the game. Informs that Jason Holder is missing out due to an ankle injury while Sunil Ambris comes back into the playing XI. Also tells that Sherman Lewis makes his Test debut for the Windies. On his unit doing well recently, Brathwaite hopes that the good run continues.
09.12 IST:
1st Test Playing XI
West Indies Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Kieran Powell, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sunil Ambris, Shane Dowrich(w), Keemo Paul, Devendra Bishoo, Sherman Lewis, Shannon Gabriel
India Playing XI: Lokesh Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav
9.00 AM IST: INDIA WIN TOSS, OPT TO BAT AGAINST WEST INDIES IN RAJKOT
08.45 IST: WEATHER - The conditions are a bit murky with the sun yet to assume full heat. But needless to say, as the first session comes to a close, the players will feel the heat.
08.36 IST:
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today's match as India host West Indies in the 1st Test at Rajkot. The TOSS will take place 9.00 AM IST and play will commence from 9.30 AM IST.
Brief Report: Scarred by yet another overseas debacle, India will once again seek home comfort when they take on an inexperienced West Indies in a two-Test series starting here Thursday, aiming to get their combinations in order before the gruelling assignment in Australia. India have endured series losses in South Africa and England over the last nine months but have still managed to remain the number one side in the longest format. A comprehensive beating of the West Indies at this stage can only serve as a morale-booster to the Virat Kohli-led side which faces another stern test with the Australia tour beginning late November. (Read Full Report Here)
