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Watch Video Highlights: Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara’s vital partnership during India vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1

Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara kept wickets from falling in the first session of Day 1, India vs West Indies first Test

 

Shikhar Dhawan shared a 60 run partnership with Cheteswar Pujara © AFP
Shikhar Dhawan shared a 60 run partnership with Cheteswar Pujara © AFP

Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara shared a vital 60-run partnership between them on Day 1 getting India through the first session. However, Pujara managed to score only 16 runs from 67 balls without any boundaries. But he made sure India do not lose anymore wickets before Lunch, Day 1 and end up on back foot. Dhawan and Pujara played out the new ball giving India upper hand over the hosts, West Indies. Pujara got out early in second session to spinner Devendra Bishoo in 28th over. It was quite disappointing to see him fall so early but the impact of the damage was reduced by Shikhar Dhawan’s knock. He went on and shared a 105 run partnership with skipper Virat Kohli who scored his 12th century. Watch the highlights of Dhawan-Pujara partnership here

The Indian captain, who also crossed the 3000-run mark in his 42nd Test, had the support of Ravichandran Ashwin (22 batting) at close of play as the two shared an unbeaten 66-run stand. The pitch was flat and the West Indies bowling lacked depth to trouble the visitors who found it tough early on after Kohli opted to bat. Starting at 65 after tea, Kohli put on 57 runs with Ajinkya Rahane (22) as the duo looked to build after losing both Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara (16) in the second session of play. Rahane was nearly dismissed cheaply, for 5 runs, as Shannon Gabriel (1-43) induced an edge that fell short of slips. But thereafter the vice-captain tightened up his game and didn t give another chance until his eventual dismissal. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs West Indies 2016, 1st Test at Antigua

In the meantime, the duo kept the run-rate flowing, bringing up the 200-mark in the 61st over. Then, five overs later, they brought up their 50-partnership, coming off only 65 balls. Kohli was looking particularly good in this period, as cover drives and on-drives started booming off his blade.Perhaps Carlos Brathwaite (0-46) was the only bowled who troubled him a bit, but even was not able to create a straightforward wicket-taking opportunity.  IND vs WI Live Streaming: Watch live telecast on Ozee.com

Just as they were looking good, Rahane was dismissed, a loose stroke off Devendra Bishoo (3-108) lobbing up and he was caught at midwicket. It was yet another loose dismissal for India, with only Murali Vijay (7) getting out to a good delivery earlier in the morning. Thereafter, with 22 overs remaining in the day’s play, it was surprising to see Ashwin come out to bat ahead of Wriddhiman Saha.

But he did an immaculate job, including some silken drives down the ground, and the two batsmen stayed unbeaten until the end of play, bringing up the 300-mark in the 88th over. Kohli and Ashwin’s stand partnership rescued India from what looked like a disappointing first outing for the five top-order batsmen theory. (With inputs from PTI)

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