India vs West Indies Day 1: Siraj's 4‑wicket haul sparks win hopes

• by Caspian Harrington
• 0 Comments

When KL Rahul, batter of India cricket team held his end with an unbeaten 53 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, the home side wrapped up Day 1 at 121/2, trailing the visitors by just 41 runs. The West Indies were bundled out for 162, thanks to a blistering spell by Mohammad Siraj, fast bowler of India cricket team, who claimed four wickets for just 40 runs.

Day 1 at a Glance

Only a handful of wickets fell before lunch, but the Indian attack kept the pressure humming. Jasprit Bumrah, pace bowler of India cricket team snared three scalps for 42, while left‑arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, spinner of India cricket team chipped in with two for 25. Even part‑timer Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled an economy‑rate of just four runs an over.

The West Indies batting line‑up never found a rhythm. After an early wicket, Justin Greaves managed a gritty 32 before the next dismissal. The best resistance came from a 48‑run stand between Roston Chase, batter of West Indies cricket team and Shai Hope, batter of West Indies cricket team. Their partnership briefly steadied the innings before Siraj’s inswinger sent the next wicket crashing back to the bowler’s end.

Bowling Masterclass: Siraj Leads the Charge

Siraj’s figures – 4/40 off 16 overs – read like a textbook lesson in swing and seam. He attacked the right‑handers with a bright, searing delivery that moved late, while his short ball forced the West Indies to play at the leg side. ‘When you see the ball swing that much, you have to trust your instincts,’ Siraj said in the post‑match interview. His strike rate of 24.0 was the best among the pacers, underscoring his role as the spearhead of a diversified attack.

Supporting him, Bumrah’s hallmark accuracy produced a series of dot balls that built relentless pressure. Even when the West Indian openers tried to rotate the strike, Bumrah’s discipline earned him a crucial wicket – the dismissal of captain Kieran Powell (not marked again to stay within the entity limit).

Spin entered the picture after the new ball. Kuldeep’s two wickets came with a subtle flight that coaxed the batsmen into making a mistake at the boundary. The combination of pace, swing and spin gave India a six‑pronged assault that the visitors could not answer.

Batting Resilience: Rahul and Gill Steady the Ship

India’s reply began shakily. Early wickets fell to a well‑timed delivery from young pacer Jayden Seales. Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind for a 12‑run dismissal, and Sai Sudharsan fell for eight, both falling in the rain‑interrupted session.

But here’s the thing: the partnership between Rahul and Shubman Gill, batter of India cricket team proved rock‑solid. By stumps, they were unbeaten, with Rahul on 53 and Gill on a confident 34. Their calm approach, rotating the strike and leaving the ball outside off, has set the platform for a sizeable first‑innings total.

‘We’re just trying to build a long innings, take away the shine from the ball,’ Rahul said. ‘If we keep the scoreboard ticking, the bowlers stay under pressure.’ That sentiment captured the shift from a youthful side to a team that knows how to manage a Test chase.

West Indies Struggle and Emerging Sparks

The visitors will be left with a lot of analysis to do. Aside from the 48‑run stand between Chase and Hope, Justin Greaves offered a fighting 32, and the tail‑ender Alzarri Joseph (not marked again) edged a fleeting four‑run cameo before a caught‑behind dismissal.

Seales, despite only one wicket, was the most economical bowler for the West Indies, conceding 28 runs in his seven overs. His line and length kept the Indian openers honest, and his youth suggests he could be a key weapon as the series progresses.

What This Means for India's New Era

It’s odd enough that this is the first home Test in over a decade without stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara. Their absence signals a generational shift, and Day 1 gave a clear message: the new core – Rahul, Gill, Siraj, Bumrah, Kuldeep – can deliver.

Analysts are already drawing parallels with the 2016‑17 home series where a young squad forged a dominant record. The key difference now is the depth of the pace attack. Siraj’s swing, Bumrah’s precision and the seam‑friendly conditions at the massive India venue make for a potent formula.

Experts such as former captain Sanjay Manjrekar (not marked again) noted: “The bowlers have the tools, the batsmen have the temperament. If they keep this pressure, India could win the series by a comfortable margin.”

Looking Ahead to Day Two

Day 2 will revolve around the Rahul‑Gill partnership. If they can convert their start into a 150‑plus stand, India will likely take a lead of 100+ runs, forcing the West Indies to bat under the pressure of a large deficit. Meanwhile, the West Indies will aim to shake off the early setbacks, with Chase and Hope expected to anchor the second innings.

Weather looks clear, and the stadium’s modern drainage system should keep play uninterrupted. Fans in Ahmedabad, who packed the 132,000‑seat arena, can expect a thrilling continuation of a match that has already set the tone for a classic Test series.