WI v IND, 2nd Test: West Indies begin robust after Virat Kohli 121 helps India submit 438 in Port of Spain

By India Today Sports Desk: West Indies got here up with a much-improved response with the bat on Day 2 of the landmark one centesimal Test in opposition to India in Port of Spain on Friday, July 21. After having been bowled out for 150 and 130 within the first Test which they misplaced by an innings and 141 runs in Dominica, the West Indies batters put up a battle within the final two periods on Friday after India posted a mammoth first innings complete of 438, using on Virat Kohli’s sensational twenty ninth Test century.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and his younger opening accomplice Tagenarine Chanderpaul took their time and didn’t permit the Indian new-ball bowlers to strike with the new-ball within the remaining session. The trio of pacers, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat and debutant Mukesh Kumar, went wicketless as Brathwaite and Chanderpaul bought off to a cautious begin.

WI v IND, Port of Spain Test Day 2 Highlights

The two batters added 71 runs for the opening stand as they stored the Indian bowlers, together with R Ashwin who had snared 12 wickets within the first Test in Dominica at bay.

However, towards the top of the day’s play, Tagenarine Chanderpaul bought out for 33, taking part in a unfastened shot within the thirty fifth over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. West Indies batters have been taking their time to put a stable basis however Tagenarine’s wicket gave India the much-needed breakthrough.

However, debutant Kirk McKenzie got here out to bat at No. 3 with a constructive method, hitting a six in opposition to R Ashwin and remained unbeaten on 14. Brathwaite went to Stumps unbeaten on 37 as West Indies managed 86 for 1 in 41 overs.

VIRAT KOHLI SHOW

Earlier within the day, it was all Virat Kohli present as the previous captain bought to his twenty ninth Test century, equaling Don Bradman on the all-time checklist of Test centurions. Kohli hit 121 in a knock that was a good looking mixture of solidity and fluency.

it was additionally Kohli’s 76th worldwide century in his five hundredth worldwide match. He surpassed legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who had 75 centuries in his first 500 worldwide video games.

On Day 2, cricket followers have been handled to a masterclass by Virat Kohli. Kohli’s century got here in a match that held particular significance for each groups, because it was the one centesimal Test match between India and West Indies.

The right-handed batter reached his century by hitting the ball previous the cover-point for a 4, a feat that has made him the one cricketer to realize this in his five hundredth worldwide match. This was additionally Kohli’s first worldwide century abroad since 2018, ending a protracted await his followers.

However, Kohli’s century was not the one spotlight of the day. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin additionally made vital contributions to India’s first innings rating of 438. Jadeja scored an important half-century, his nineteenth in Test cricket, whereas Ashwin hit an essential half-century, constructing on Kohli’s 121. Their partnership helped India submit a formidable complete of 438 in opposition to the West Indies.

The basis for India’s robust efficiency was laid on the primary day of the Test. Captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, each scored fifties, placing India in management regardless of the West Indies’ fightback within the second session. Sharma’s management and Jaiswal’s grit have been instrumental in setting the tone for the Indian innings.