North Sound (Antigua): Ajinkya Rahane smashed half-century to help India accumulate 203/6 in 68.5 overs when rain forced early stumps on Day 1 of the opening Test against the West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here on Thursday.
India, who were put to bat first, were in deep trouble after their top order collapsed. However, Rahane's sublime half-century put India back in the game.
- Rahane (81) proved to be the saviour for India as he hit form with a dogged half-century after the team's top order collapsed. The visitors, who are playing their first match of the World Test Championship, were reduced to 25/3 with Mayank Agarwal (5), Cheteshwar Pujara (2) and skipper Virat Kohli (9) back in the hut early as new ball bowlers Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel wreaked havoc with searing pace.
K.L. Rahul (44 off 97; 5x4) and Rahane then shared a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed caught behind down the leg side off Roston Chase's bowling post-lunch.
Rahane then added a valuable 82 runs for the fifth wicket with Hanuma Vihari (32). But both Rahane and Vihari got out in the space of five overs to give the hosts advantage at stumps on the opening day.
Interestingly, Rahane, who hit his 18th fifty after a spell of poor performances, was dropped on 40 by Miguel Cummins off Chase.
On the other hand, Roach (3/34) bowled a fiery spell to remove Agarwal, Pujara and Vihari, while Gabriel picked two crucial wickets of Kohli and Rahane.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant (20*) and Ravindra Jadeja (3*) remain in the middle and will begin the day’s play on Friday for India. They have added 14 runs so far for the seventh wicket in 55 balls.
