Indian cricket fans were glad to see their favorite stars take the field once again after nearly one month. The Indian team began its two match test series against West Indies at Dominica. This officially begins the start of the Indian cricket season and the start of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle.
The story so far –
West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first. The Indian team handed out caps to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan. The home team too handed out debut cap to 24 year old left handed batter Alick Athanaze.
Ravi Ashwin casts his spell on Chanderpaul –
Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain was quick to call on the experience of Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl the 9th over of the innings. The veteran off spinner was quick to get into his groove. The 5th ball of the 13th over of the innings saw, Ashwin bowl on the right length as Chanderpaul missed the line of the ball and bowled neck and crop to give India its 1st wicket of the day.
When nothing happened, we 'turned' to Ashwin!
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 12, 2023
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.#INDvWIonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/wwPuS1QZG2
Ashwin’s success against Chanderpaul –
This was not the 1st time Ashwin had got rid of a Chanderpaul. The 36 year old had dismissed the West Indian legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul on a few occasions too. The former West Indian captain is the father of opener Tagenarine who was dismissed by Ashwin on Wednesday.
West Indies lose three early wickets –
The home team opened with Brathwaite and Chanderpaul as the openers. The duo saw off a testing spell by Siraj and Unadkat. The introduction of Ashwin changed the entire game as Chanderpaul was bowled for 12. Ashwin struck again, this time getting the big wicket of skipper Brathwaite for 20. The West Indian skipper went for a wild slog only to be caught by Rohit Sharma. The third wicket came in the form of Raymon Reifer who was caught behind by Ishan Kishan off Thakur for 2. This was Kishan’s first catch in test cricket in his debut game. At the time of writing, the home team were 63/3 with Blackwood and Athanze batting.