Rohit and Jaiswal’s half-centuries, India’s 146 runs without losing wickets till lunch

Debutant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma struck unbeaten half-centuries as India made 146 for no loss in the first innings at lunch on the second day of the first cricket Test against the West Indies here on Thursday. Rohit was playing on 68 while Jaiswal was on 62 at lunch. Rohit has hit six fours and two sixes in his 15th half-century so far, facing 163 balls. Jaiswal has faced 167 balls so far and has hit seven fours. India are now just four runs short of West Indies’ first innings score of 150. The pitch at Windsor Park has slowed down further and more balls are stopping and coming to the bat.

The Indian batsmen did not take any unnecessary risks in the morning session. The team did not lose any wicket during this period but scored only 66 runs. Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (22 runs without wicket) and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (34 runs without wicket) did not give the Indian batsmen a chance to bat freely but failed to take wickets. Due to the slow coming of the pitch, the Indian openers had no problem in defending the batting.

Jaiswal, who started the day with a 40, brought up his half-century in the morning session with his first four. He collected four runs off a pull shot off fast bowler Alzarri Joseph. The best shot of the morning session came from the bat of Rohit who hit Joseph for a six over mid-wicket. He also made his full toss see the boundary after hitting a square cut four off Warrican.