India (IN) vs West Indies (WI) Score, Day 2: India 512 runs for loss of 6 wickets

India reaches 512 runs for the loss of 6 wickets at tea. Virat Kohli reaches to his maiden double century in Tests as India cruised to 404 for 4 at lunch on day two of the series opener against the West Indies here today.  Kohli (200* off 281 balls ), resuming at an overnight 143, reached the milestone at the stroke of lunch and was ably supported by Ravichandran Ashwin (64*).

The duo batted the entire session, extending their fifth wicket stand to 168 runs as the West Indies failed to pick up a wicket in 29 overs. The double century was also first for Kohli at the First Class level with his previous highest being 197.

 India had started off the day at their overnight score of 302/4, with the two batsmen looking to bat as long as possible. And it was obvious from their watchful demeanour, as the West Indies had opted for the new ball straightaway.

Shannon Gabriel (1-56) and Jason Holder (0-83) then started off the proceedings, as on day one, but the pitch seemed to have eased out considerably as compared to the first morning. Gabriel though was still impressive, and worked up his pace every over. He troubled Ashwin and got him driving, inducing a couple edges that fell short of the slip cordon.

Then he induced another edge in the 98th over of the innings and the 8th of the morning only for keeper Shane Dowrich to put down a regulation chance. Ashwin was on 43* at that time. Meanwhile, Kohli continued his march without any discomfort at all. First up, he crossed the 150-mark off 208 balls as the 100-partnership came up in the 96th over. Then he went past his previous Test highest score of 169 scored against Australia at the MCG in December 2014.

 The duo had scored at a good rate and the first hour of play resulted in 50 runs. There was a short spell when Devendra Bishoo (3-131) was introduced into the attack, wherein the runs calmed down. But as soon as the two batsmen got accustomed to his spin again, the scoring rate went up once again.

Ashwin made good of the life given to him and reached his seventh Test fifty off 127 balls. In doing so, he helped India past the 400-mark in the 118th over and indeed brought up the 150-partnership with Kohli off 272 balls. The West Indies were looking lethargic in the field as the partnership sucked out all energy, even as the wait was now for Kohli’s impending milestone.

 And he didn’t disappoint, getting there just before lunch, in the 119th over. Kohli played Roston Chase (0-57) for a simple single to midwicket and became the first Indian skipper to score a Test doubled hundred overseas since 1932. He beat Mohammad Azharduddin’s long-standing record of 192 against New Zealand scored in February 1990.

With the overnight score of 302 for 4, India has started day 2 of the first test. There is not much batting to come as India is playing with 5 specialist bowlers. However Kohli’s presence on the pitch will be crucial for India as they aim for 400 runs at least.

India can then put pressure on West Indies batting with their 5 specialist bowlers. The first hour at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is going to be very interesting with new ball and bounce on the track.

Live Score: India vs West Indies Test Match, Day 2

On Day 1, Kohli (143 batting) led from the front to lay a solid platform for his team with the other major contribution coming from opener Shikhar Dhawan (84).

The Indian captain, who also crossed the 3000-run mark in his 42nd Test, had the support of Ravichandran Ashwin (22 batting) at close of play as the two shared an unbeaten 66-run stand.

The away side had a rather quiet first session where it managed 72 for one in 27 overs before Kohli arrived at the crease and stepped up the tempo. By stumps, India had a decent run rate of 3.35 runs per over.

The pitch was flat and the West Indies bowling lacked depth to trouble the visitors who found it tough early on after Kohli opted to bat.

Starting at 65 after tea, Kohli put on 57 runs with Ajinkya Rahane (22) as the duo looked to build after losing both Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara (16) in the second session of play. Rahane was nearly dismissed cheaply, for 5 runs, as Shannon Gabriel (1-43) induced an edge that fell short of slips. But thereafter the vice-captain tightened up his game and didn’t give another chance until his eventual dismissal.

In the meantime, the duo kept the run-rate flowing, bringing up the 200-mark in the 61st over. Then, five overs later, they brought up their 50-partnership, coming off only 65 balls. Kohli was looking particularly good in this period, as cover drives and on-drives started booming off his blade.

Perhaps Carlos Brathwaite (0-46) was the only bowled who troubled him a bit, but even was not able to create a straightforward wicket-taking opportunity.

Just as they were looking good, Rahane was dismissed, a loose stroke off Devendra Bishoo (3-108) lobbing up and he was caught at midwicket. It was yet another loose dismissal for India, with only Murali Vijay (7) getting out to a good delivery earlier in the morning.

Thereafter, with 22 overs remaining in the day’s play, it was surprising to see Ashwin come out to bat ahead of Wriddhiman Saha.

But he did an immaculate job, including some silken drives down the ground, and the two batsmen stayed unbeaten until the end of play, bringing up the 300-mark in the 88th over. Kohli and Ashwin’s stand partnership rescued India from what looked like a disappointing first outing for the five top-order batsmen theory.