India began their new home season on a strong note, ending Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies in a comfortable position at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Despite losing the toss, Shubman Gill's men dominated the opening day, first with the ball through Mohammed Siraj’s opening spell and later with the bat, thanks to KL Rahul’s solid half-century. At stumps, India were 121 for 2, trailing by just 41 runs with eight wickets in hand.
On a green wicket, Siraj produced a solid first
spell. He struck thrice in his opening burst, dismantling the top order within the first hour. Siraj eventually finished with figures of 4 for 40, narrowly missing out on what could have been his first Test five-wicket haul at home.
Jasprit Bumrah, partnering him with the new ball, chipped in with three wickets, using his trademark yorkers to rattle the lower order. His dismissal of Justin Greaves with an inswinging yorker grabbed significant attention. Kuldeep Yadav added two wickets, including a beauty to bowl Shai Hope, while Washington Sundar claimed one. West Indies, who opted to bat first, folded for just 162 in 44.1 overs, with Greaves’ 32 being the top score.
For India, KL Rahul, opening the innings, reached his 20th Test fifty and was unbeaten on 53 at stumps. Rahul did have a brief scare when he appeared to suffer a cramp in his right leg, but resumed batting and carried on without much discomfort.
At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed seven boundaries in his 36 before falling to Jayden Seales. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan fell on 7, trapped lbw by Roston Chase. Shubman Gill, fresh from a prolific series in England, remained unbeaten on 18.
