Rohit Sharma (R) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (2R), of India, wait on the third umpire review (Pic: AFP)
Barring debutant Alick Athanaze, none of the West Indies batters were comfortable against high quality spin and are likely to struggle if the ball turns as much as it did in Dominica. West Indies might be better off with a pitch that aids fast bowling, bringing Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph in the game. That could be the only way they are able to put pressure on the Indian batting line up.
India spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja made merry on a track offering turn in the series opener and another turner is on the cards with the West Indies replacing batting all-rounder Ramon Reifer with spin all-rounder Kevin Sinclair. If that is indeed the case, India will be tempted to play another spinner in Axar Patel at Unadkat's expense.
Yashasvi Jaiswal showed in the first Test against the West Indies here that he belongs to the highest level, with the southpaw scoring 171 runs on debut and sharing a 229-run partnership with skipper Rohit Sharma. He became only the third Indian to score 150 on debut and his big break came after sensational performances in IPL and domestic cricket.
Virat Kohli kept fans entertained throughout the first Test during fielding. Kohli, who has not made an overseas Test hundred since December 2018, also will be eyeing a big knock after a dogged 76 in the opener.
Little did we know Jermaine Blackwood would misjudge Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery to an extent to go hard at it, hitting it straight down the ground. He wasn’t lucky, as the ball didn't hit the middle of the bat. Siraj, who did not lose his focus one bit, leaped just in time to grab the ball with his outstretched right arm. It was a sight to savour!
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