NEW DELHI: Ravichandran Ashwin made a triumphant return to the cricketing enviornment following his disappointment within the World Test Championship last final month. The seasoned Indian spinner claimed his thirty third five-wicket haul, main India’s cost in opposition to a lacklustre West Indies staff on the primary day of the opening Test.
Ashwin lived as much as his standing because the top-ranked Test bowler within the ICC rankings, decimating the West Indies batting lineup with figures of 5 for 60 in 24.3 overs. His spell was complemented superbly by the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed 3 for 26 in 14 overs, making life depressing for the house staff’s batters.
As it happened: India vs West Indies, 1st Test Day 1
With ample time for batting remaining within the day, captain Rohit Sharma (30 not out, 65 balls) and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal (40 not out, 73 balls) shaped a strong opening partnership, including 80 to cut back the primary innings deficit to a mere 70 runs heading into the second day.

The new opening pair regarded comfy on the crease, with the pitch providing little help to the bowlers. Sharma displayed his trademark “Nataraja” pull-shot and unleashed elegant straight drives, whereas Jaiswal confirmed composure past his years, taking part in near his physique for almost all of the night.
However, the standout performer of the day was undeniably Ashwin, whose distinctive artistry proved an excessive amount of for an undercooked West Indies batting lineup. The sluggish and two-paced monitor offered ample flip and bounce, which Ashwin expertly exploited. His efficiency additionally marked a big milestone, as he became the third Indian bowler, after Anil Kumble (956 wickets) and Harbhajan Singh (711), to reach 700 scalps across all formats in international cricket.

Furthermore, Ashwin achieved a singular distinction by dismissing each father and son. Having dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul on his Test debut in 2011, he now despatched his son, Tagenarine, again to the pavilion.
Apart from debutant left-hander Alick Athanaze’s accountable knock of 47 off 99 deliveries, not one of the Caribbean batters displayed the mandatory approach to outlive on the slow-turning pitch. Ashwin expertly diversified his tempo, mixing in sliders and deliveries angling throughout right-handers whereas utilising drift to perfection in opposition to the left-handers.
Supporting Ashwin’s brilliance, Mohammed Siraj (1 for 25 in 12 overs) performed a tireless position, constantly hitting a gorgeous fuller size throughout the first session. Post-lunch, he switched gears and peppered the batsmen with well-executed bouncers to maintain the strain on. His spectacular diving catch at mid-off to dismiss Jermaine Blackwood off Jadeja’s bowling additional highlighted his contributions.

The resolution to bat first on a monitor that provided flip and bounce proper from the beginning backfired for the West Indies batsmen, most of whom lacked the required endurance and adaptableness. Shardul Thakur (1 for 15 in 7 overs), working because the third seamer in abroad circumstances for the primary time, continued his knack for selecting up wickets, whereas Jaydev Unadkat (0 for 17 in 7 overs) supported the bowling assault commendably.
West Indies openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12 off 44 balls) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite (20 off 46 balls) discovered themselves underneath immense strain within the face of relentless tempo from Siraj and Unadkat. Ashwin capitalised on the state of affairs, intelligently slowing down his deliveries and making efficient use of drift to hassle the opening pair.
Ultimately, Ashwin’s mastery was on full show all through the day, leaving the West Indies batsmen floundering. The sluggish turner proved to be their undoing, with solely Athanaze exhibiting resilience amidst the turmoil.
The second day of the Test guarantees to be equally charming as India appears to be like to increase their benefit and tighten their grip on the match.
(With inputs from PTI)