India Kick Off Home Season in Style with Siraj-Led Bowling Blitz
Mohammed Siraj delivered a masterclass with the new ball as India bowled out West Indies for just 162 on the opening day of their home Test series. Riding on Siraj’s incisive swing and disciplined line, the hosts seized control early—before KL Rahul anchored the innings with a composed half-century to extend India’s dominance .
Siraj’s Opening Spell: The Turning Point
- Figures: 4/32 in 10.2 overs
- Key Dismissals: Kraigg Brathwaite (golden duck), Shamar Joseph (caught behind), Alick Athanaze (trapped LBW)
- Swing & Seam: Averaged 1.8° lateral movement—highest among pacers on Day 1
West Indies Batting Collapse: Innings Breakdown
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraigg Brathwaite | 0 | 2 | c Pant b Siraj |
| Tagenarine Chanderpaul | 42 | 98 | lbw b Ashwin |
| Shamar Joseph | 12 | 24 | c Rahul b Siraj |
| Alick Athanaze | 28 | 51 | lbw b Siraj |
| Rest of the batting | 80 | 175 | Multiple bowlers |
India’s Response: Rahul Anchors the Chase
KL Rahul, batting at No. 3, showcased patience and precision in tricky evening conditions, scoring an unbeaten 57 off 102 balls. His partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal (24*) took India to 85/1 at stumps—trailing by just 77 runs with nine wickets in hand .
Infographic: Day 1 Performance Heatmap
Diagram: Siraj’s lethal corridor outside off vs Rahul’s cover-drive dominance (Source: ESPNcricinfo Hawk-Eye)
What This Means for the Series
With India’s pace attack firing on home soil and spinners yet to fully exploit the turning track, the hosts are firmly in the driver’s seat. West Indies, lacking depth in their middle order, face an uphill battle to avoid a follow-on .