Kohli’s double ton a classy knock: Viv Richards

In the on-going 1 Test match between India and West Indies, team India has been performing very well in the first innings.

India skipper Virat Kohli, who struck his career’s maiden double ton on day two of the first Test against the West Indies, said getting big runs in the longest version gives him enormous job satisfaction. After declaring at 566/8 in the first innings, they bowled West Indies out for 243 and then enforced a follow-on.

But the innings was undermined by seamers Umesh Yadav (4-41) and fellow seamer Mohammed Shami (4-66) who finished with four wickets apiece while leg-spinner Amit Mishra claimed two for 43.

After Mishra had removed nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo, who had stuck around for 46 deliveries, Shami got into the act.

Returning to the squad after a one-and-a-half year injury layoff, Shami rocked the West Indies batting lineup, taking 4/66 in the first innings.

Bravo showed little signs of discomfort during his 33-ball stay at the crease for 11, adding 22 with Brathwaite to keep West Indies steady.

From that point on it became a virtual procession of West Indies batsmen to and from the wicket with Shami outstanding either side of the lunch interval when he disposed of Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood to add to his dismissal of Chandrika late on the second evening. The first hour of the day, though, proved frustrating as opener Kraigg Brathwaite and Bishoo defied the bowling. “I bowled a few overs, it looks like there might be a little bit of grip but it’s a long process”, Ashwin signed.

Shami, 25, who last played a Test against Australia in Sydney in January 2015, had played the lead in reducing the hosts to 157 for 7 from 72 overs at tea on the third day of the opening Test at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua on Saturday (July 23).

One West Indies batsman who could hold his head high was opener Kraigg Brathwaite. That was only until Umesh Yadav dismissed him caught behind for a score of 74.

Only Kraigg Brathwaite was at ease against the Indian bowlers.

Mohammed Shami picked up 50 wickets in just his 13th Test, level with Venkatesh Prasad. It was never easy batting against any of them on a tough day of Test cricket. I saw that the West Indies batsmen were uncomfortable with the shot of the length bowl.

Kohli struggled during his early Test career and was known as more of a one-day player but, having taken the five-day captaincy from MS Dhoni, has blossomed in all forms of the sport.