Masterful Kohli shapes strong Indian start

Thu, Jul 21, '16

On a day that should have belonged to Shikhar Dhawan and could’ve gone to West Indies, Virat Kohli took ownership of proceedings in commanding fashion at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. India, having won an important toss, closed Thursday’s(July 21) first day’s play of the first Test on 302 for 4, Kohli’s unbeaten 143 headlining a strong performance.

While Kohli did all he could to shut the door on the opposition bowling, it was Shannon Gabriel who breathed early life into the game, bending his back to generate significant pace and bounce on a surface that would eventually prove to be anything but threatening. Gabriel, running in with a relaxed, loping approach at the Curtley Ambrose End, repeatedly hurried both openers with deliveries that reared from a length and sailed through to the wicketkeeper.

While Dhawan appeared less sure of himself, it was M Vijay who paid the steepest price, a brute of a lifter taking the edge and ballooning up toward the slips cordon to be caught by Kraig Brathwaite after a little juggling.

Cheteshwar Pujara, at No. 3, set his stall out for a long stint out in the middle, defending with determination and displaying the kind of self-denial that irritates and infuriates bowlers in equal measure. While Pujara was doing what he does best, Dhawan found a new gear.