The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a coliseum of cricketing dreams, witnessed a Day 1 masterclass from the Indian team as they utterly dominated West Indies in the opening Test of the series. From the precise artillery of their pacers to the unwavering resolve of their top order, India left no stone unturned, firmly planting themselves in the driver`s seat.
West Indies` Batting Woes: A Bowler`s Paradise
The morning session began with West Indies opting to bat on a green-tinged surface that promised assistance for the bowlers, a promise India’s attack gleefully delivered upon. Mohammed Siraj, picking up exactly where he left off on challenging English pitches, delivered a career-best performance on home soil, bagging 4 for 40. His spell was a tactical masterclass, highlighted by the dismissal of Brandon King. Siraj, with the cunning of a seasoned chess player, set King up with a series of nip-backers, only to then bowl one in the same line that nipped back subtly to clip the stumps – a classic example of setting a trap.
The West Indies openers, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and John Campbell, quickly succumbed to the relentless pressure. Chanderpaul gifted his wicket to Siraj early, while Jasprit Bumrah, India`s premier fast bowler, joined the party with his characteristic precision. Bumrah’s initial spell was a testament to surgical accuracy, dragging Campbell into a drive before a slight seam movement found the edge. His unplayable yorkers later in the innings were a cruel reminder of the task at hand for the visiting tail-enders, effectively dismantling the stumps and any lingering hopes.
Even when West Indies briefly threatened a recovery through Roston Chase and Shai Hope, spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav produced a `ripper` just before lunch. A perfectly tossed-up delivery drifted, turned sharply, and sneaked past Hope`s defensive lunge to clatter into the stumps – serving as the perfect pre-lunch appetizer for India. The visitors limped to lunch at 90 for 5, a clear indication of the bruising they had endured. The post-lunch session brought no respite, as the remaining wickets fell in quick succession, culminating in West Indies being bundled out for a modest 162 runs.
India`s Measured and Assertive Response
In response, India`s opening pair, KL Rahul and the aggressive Yashasvi Jaiswal, embarked on a mission to build on their bowlers` foundation. Rahul, a picture of calm and concentration, navigated the early overs with a seasoned hand, steadily working his way to his 19th Test half-century by the close of play. His innings, characterized by solid defense and judicious shot selection, provided the bedrock for India`s reply.
Jaiswal, never one to shy away from intent, initially batted sedately but accelerated after a brief rain delay, peppering the boundaries with seven crisp strokes. His vibrant 36-run cameo, however, concluded when he edged Jayden Seales behind the stumps, serving as a gentle reminder that even the most promising starts require sustained focus. Sai Sudharsan`s brief stay also ended prematurely, but Shubman Gill walked in to join Rahul, ensuring no further damage was done before stumps were called.
The Day`s Verdict: A Clear Indian Advantage
As the stumps were drawn, the scoreboard painted a clear picture of Indian supremacy. West Indies` initial hopes, perhaps buoyed by a green-tinged surface, quickly evaporated under the relentless pressure exerted by the Indian attack. With a mere 41 runs separating them from West Indies` modest total of 162, India finished the day at 121 for 2, firmly poised to build a substantial lead on Day 2.
Brief Scores at Stumps, Day 1:
West Indies: 162 all out (Justin Greaves 32; Mohammed Siraj 4-40, Jasprit Bumrah 3-42, Kuldeep Yadav 2-25)
India: 121/2 (KL Rahul 53*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36; Jayden Seales 1-21)
India trail by 41 runs.
The Ahmedabad crowd, having witnessed a day of high-quality cricket, will undoubtedly return tomorrow expecting more of the same — a dominant display that could well dictate the trajectory of this Test series from its very inception. India`s clinical execution across both innings underscored their intent and capabilities, leaving West Indies with a significant challenge to overcome.
Marcus Bellamy 
Nathan Blackwood