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Antigua and Barbuda: Virat Kohli stroked a commanding 12th Test century to put India in control at 302 for four when stumps were drawn on the opening day of the first Test against theWest Indies on Thursday. Having chosen to bat first on winning the toss, the Indian captain led the way with a thoroughly authoritative innings of 143 not out, decorated with 16 fours that has so far occupied just over four hours off 197 deliveries. He put on 105 for the third wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, the opening batsman missing out on a three-figure innings of his own when he fell lbw for 84 sweeping at Devendra Bishoo on the stroke of the tea interval. Bishoo’s mixture of leg-breaks and googlies were the greatest threat to the Indians throughout a long, tiring day for the home side at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium although his three wickets were more the result of poor shot-selection by Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. He ended the day with figures of three for 108 off 27 overs. [caption id=“attachment_2909342” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] India’s captain Virat Kohli, left, and teammate Shikhar Dhawan. AP[/caption] Surprisingly he was not called upon by his captain, Jason Holder, in the first period of play, when even debutant batsman and part-time off-spinner Roston Chase delivered eight overs. However his dismissal of Pujara via a horribly miscued pull in the first over after lunch ushered in Kohli who proceeded to transform the rest of the day into a testament to his ever-increasing stature as a batsman of the highest class. In stark contrast, the usually destructive Dhawan was content to play the supporting role. Famed for his adventurous attacking instincts in all forms of the game, the left-handed opening batsman displayed admirable restraint in the early exchanges against bowling that lacked any real pace and potency, with the notable exception of Shannon Gabriel, who caused alarms for the Indian opening pair with his raw pace. “I enjoyed my knock. I just had to take the punches (early on) and I was happy I had the persistence to keep going,” said Dhawan. “It’s not every time I’ll keep getting boundaries from the start. I had to grind it out.” Gabriel removed Murali Vijay for just seven after half-an-hour’s play when the right-hander fended at a lifting delivery for Kraigg Brathwaite to take the catch at the second attempt at second slip. Pujara looked untroubled on joining Dhawan at the crease with the pair putting on 60 before the middle-order player’s error of judgement at the start of the afternoon session. Having opted to go into the match without uncapped fast-medium bowler Miguel Cummins, the only other pace threat available in the West Indies pre-match squad of 13, it was left to Holder, fellow medium-pacer Carlos Brathwaite and Chase to do the bulk of the early work in support of Gabriel before Bishoo got into his work after lunch. Nevertheless, those bowling resources were made to appear decidedly inadequate on a placid pitch and against batsmen prepared to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Early in his innings, Kohli passed 3,000 career Test runs and later on reached 1,000 as Test captain. But the most important figures were the partnerships built around his excellent innings. His century stand with Dhawan was followed by a further 60 put together with Rahane followed by a fifth-wicket stand so far worth 66 with Ravichandran Ashwin. With two Test centuries against the West Indies on the Indian sub-continent, the lower-order player will resume on the second morning unbeaten on 22 alongside Kohli. While the West Indies have packed their side with batting, India opted for a bowling attack comprising three pacers and two spinners, omitting Ravindra Jadeja in preference for Amit Mishra to work in tandem with Ashwin as specialist slow bowlers. West Indies have not defeated India in Test cricket for 14 years since the end of the 2002 series in the Caribbean and are the decided underdogs for the first meeting with these opponents on home soil for five years. AFP
India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 2 as it happened: Shami strikes as hosts reach 31/1 at stumps
Virat Kohli stroked a commanding 12th Test century to put India in control at 302 for four when stumps were drawn on the opening day of the first Test against theWest Indies on Thursday.
 "India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 2 as it happened: Shami strikes as hosts reach 31/1 at stumps")
Shami's back! Gets his first international wicket since his knee surgery just before stumps on Day 2https://t.co/QAVyLfxNi1 #IndvsWI
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 22, 2016
After 16 overs,West Indies 31/1 ( Kraigg Brathwaite 11 , Devendra Bishoo 0)
OUT! Shami gets his first wicket in international cricket since recovering from his knee surgery that kept him out for a year! Fires a length ball outside off that shapes away from Chandrika, and gets a thick edge off his bat while travelling to the wicketkeeper’s gloves. West Indies lose their first wicket with 30 on board, with the hosts sending Devendra Bishoo as the nightwatchman. They add just one more run before stumps, trailing India by another 535 runs at the end of the day’s play.
After 10 overs,West Indies 19/0 ( Kraigg Brathwaite 5 , Rajindra Chandrika 10)
Ishant keeps it short for the most part, which actually results in the first boundary of the West Indian innings, with the ball deflecting off Chandrika’s helmet after edging off his bat, over the keeper’s head towards the long-stop boundary. Both Ishant and Umesh keep it economical at the start of the innings, with Mohammed Shami getting to bowl his first over in international cricket since the 2015 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia.
After 5 overs,West Indies 4/0 ( Kraigg Brathwaite 0 , Rajindra Chandrika 3)
Kraigg Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika walk out to bat after India’s declaration on 566. The duo start things off slowly, with the hosts getting just one run off the first four overs, that too off a bye, before collecting three off the fifth over. Ishant and Umesh have started things off with the new ball, and are exhibiting some movement early in the West Indian innings.
A brief reminder of what has happened on Day 2 so far.
India declare on 566/8
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 22, 2016
On Day 2, @imVkohli gets maiden double ton@ashwinravi99 gets 3rd Test ton
53 for @MishiAmit pic.twitter.com/BZTjaCKm3q
566/8 is India's second-highest total in Tests in West Indies. Highest being 588/8 in Gros Islet in 2006. #WIvIND
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) July 22, 2016
After 161.5 overs,India 566/8 ( Mohammed Shami 17)
Ashwin’s dismissal for 113 brings out the crazy batsman in Mishra, who plays shots that are as unorthodox as they can get! Helped by a couple of sixes from Mohammed Shami, Mishra manages to get to his half-century, with some comical shots and horrendous misfields by the hosts along the way). The Indians finally declare after Mishra sends the next ball straight down Jason Holder’s throat at mid-on to depart for 53, with India declaring on 566/8.
2011. 2013. And now in 2016.
3rd Test ton for @ashwinravi99! All 3 tons have come vs @westindies!
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 22, 2016
LIVE: https://t.co/QAVyLfxNi1 #IndvsWI #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/wXcwkFmKcn
Century by @ashwinravi99 is not just milestone for him, but could reconfigure India's batting line-up & tactics going ahead...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 22, 2016
After 154 overs,India 512/6 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 106 , Amit Mishra 23)
Ravi Ashwin does it! After what seemed like ages, the off-spinner finally gets to the three-digit mark after 237 deliveries! All the talk of being patient during one’s batting seems to have rubbed off on Ashwin, and he was rock solid in his defence against the West Indians, who seemed to have wrested back the momentum with the dismissals of Kohli and Saha! India are well past 500 now, with the umpire calling for tea at the end of the 154th over, and it remains to be seen what Kohli’s call after the break will be.
After 145 overs,India 477/6 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 95 , Amit Mishra 1)
After a slow start, Saha looks to entertain the sparesly-populated stadium by going for the big hits. Comes down the track in the 142nd over to smash Roston Chase over long-on for the second six of the match, before getting stumped off Brathwaite’s bowling while dancing down the track, with the ball turning more than what he would have liked! Mishra walks out to bat, with Ashwin approaching his century now.
After 140 overs,India 458/5 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 91 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 26)
It’s Ashwin in the nervous 90s now, and he is taking all the time in the world to get to the mark. Runs are coming by quite slow at the moment for India, and it looks like it’s going to stay like that for the rest of the session now, unless Ashwin goes on a sudden burst after getting to three-figures! Meanwhile, it’s chase and Kraigg Brathwaite bowling in tandem right now, and the former is still looking for his maiden Test wicket!
Well what do we have here? KL Rahul turns cameraman after getting droppedhttps://t.co/QAVyLfxNi1 #IndvsWI #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/PziuwdYf2T
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 22, 2016
After 135 overs,India 445/5 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 84 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 20)
Kohli’s dismissal has slammed the brakes on India’s quick run-scoring rate, with some of the momentum shifting in the hosts’ favour. All eyes on Ashwin now, who is 16 runs away from his third Test ton! Meanwhile, chance for Saha to shine with the bat against a tired attack…
After 125 overs,India 417/5 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 71 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 5)
Kohli’s marathon innings finally comes to an end, bringing some smiles back on the hosts’ faces after ages. Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha walks out alongside Ashwin, with the latter strolling through in the 70s at the moment. The off-spinner getting to his third Test ton would be cherry on the cake after Kohli’s feat! Should the Indians declare straightaway though? Or should they get to a total in excess of 500? Share your thoughts on the poll that we shared just a while back
Go right ahead and cast your vote!
How much should the Indian team declare on today?
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 22, 2016
LIVE: https://t.co/QAVyLfPo9z #IndvsWI #WIvIND
Such a terrific year he is having right now!
Virat Kohli before 2016:
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) July 22, 2016
No T20 Century
No Test Double Century
Virat Kohli now has
Four T20 Centuries
Scored First Test Double Century
Kohli is the first Indian to get out exactly for 200 and second captain after Mushfiqur Rahim. #WIvIND
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) July 22, 2016
OUT! GABRIEL DOES IT RIGHT AFTER LUNCH, AND IT IS KOHLI WHO HAS TO DEPART
Length ball from Gabriel outside off, Kohli looks to push it on the backfoot through the covers while resuming his innings in a bid to scale greater heights than ever. Gets a thick inside-edge instead, which results in his long walk back to the pavilion. Receives a standing ovation on his way back, as India lose their fifth wicket with 404 on board, with the 168-run fifth-wicket stand coming to an end.
Boss!! It takes a Kabali release day for @imVkohli to get his first 200!! #IndvsWI
— Vincent Sunder (@vincentsunder) July 22, 2016
It a surprise that no Indian captain since 1932 ie in 84 years, spanning 247 Tests has managed to make 200+ in an away Test match!#WIvInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 22, 2016
After 119 overs,India 404/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 200 , Ravichandran Ashwin 64)
VIRAT KOHLI COMPLETES HIS MAIDEN TEST DOUBLE-TON! The moment that we have all been waiting for has finally arrived! As if the year 2016 wasn’t special enough for him, he manages to get his maiden Test double-ton now! India go to lunch at a commanding score of 404/4, and could easily declare at 500 in the middle of the second session today!
After 110 overs,India 375/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 190 , Ravichandran Ashwin 45)
Kohli is batting in the nervous 190s right now, and one can only imagine the wide range of emotions that he will go through once he gets to the big milestone! Ashwin, on the other hand, is nearing his seventh fifty as well. Barring Ashwin’s dropped chance, the first session has almost entirely belonged to the visitors.
Speaks volumes of the progress that the star has made over the years!
Kohli had made just 76 runs in 5 inns of the 2011 tour to West Indies. He has now scored more than 180 runs in just 1 inns of this tour.
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) July 22, 2016
After 105 overs,India 358/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 173 , Ravichandran Ashwin 45)
Ashwin seems to have recovered from the lapse of concentration that nearly ended his innings, and is steadily moving towards his seventh Test fifty. Meanwhile, Kohli goes past his highest Test score of 169, and now looks set to create personal history. Bishoo and Carlos Brathwaite are bowling in tandem right now, and seem to have little effect on the set pair right now.
Such is life…
Do you know?
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) July 22, 2016
Amit Mishra has scored a double-century in first-class cricket.
But Kohli hasn't yet! #WIvInd
FOUR! And Virat Kohli moves to his highest score in Tests (172*)!
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 22, 2016
LIVE: https://t.co/QAVyLfxNi1 #IndvsWI #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/scSV664557
Somewhere in the Caribbean, Denesh Ramdin is sporting a wry smile
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) July 22, 2016
LIVE: https://t.co/QAVyLfxNi1 #IndvsWI #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/ivH0Nbo2K1
After 100 overs,India 346/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 163 , Ravichandran Ashwin 43)
Gabriel manages to set Ashwin up in the 97th over, inducing a thick edge off his bat to keeper Dowrich, who drops what can be described as one of the simplest catches there can be. Ashwin earns a reprieve on 43. Let’s see if he makes the most of it or not.
After 95 overs,India 331/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 154 , Ravichandran Ashwin 39)
Kohli and Ashwin walk out with a sense of purpose, which is to get India to a total that is beyond WI’s reach. Ashwin surely seems to have started things off on this note, hammering three boundaries in the first five overs of the day to move within striking distance of his seventh Test fifty. Kohli, on the other hand, gets to his 150 with a boundary towards fine-leg. For the hosts, skipper Holder is sharing the new ball with Gabriel after they decided to take the new ball.
Meanwhile, the stats on Kohli just keep pouring in…
37th international 100.....
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 22, 2016
Yesterday Virat Kohli reached his in 276 inns
Nov 1998 Sachin Tendulkar reached his in 294 inns#WIvInd
Meanwhile, the stats on Kohli just keep pouring in…
37th international 100.....
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 22, 2016
Yesterday Virat Kohli reached his in 276 inns
Nov 1998 Sachin Tendulkar reached his in 294 inns#WIvInd
He has a point you know…
The only way West Indies can stop @imVkohli from scoring runs is by hiding his kitbag😂😂😂..Keep going SHERA.good luck @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 22, 2016
A Bombay Bong with an identity crisis. Passionately follow cricket. Hardcore fan of Team India, the Proteas and junk food. Self-proclaimed shutterbug. see more
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