Raina and Bhajji saved India

Immensely need half-centuries by Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, saved the Indian team from what would have been an embarrassing first innings display. The duo helped India to post a total of 246 thereby giving them a chance to come back.

After winning the toss, India had earlier elected to bat. And when the opener surfaced on the pitch, the Indian skipper may soon have realized that he made a mistake. With  12 overs the West Indian bowler Rampaul got rid of both of the openers – Mukund and Murali Vijay.

However, the legends of Test Cricket, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, who are a part of Indian test squad, did try to bring some steadiness in Indian batting, but latter’s fall was a big blow for the visitors.

As if the Windies were not satisfied by claiming India's three main batsmen, they clinched another in the form of Virat Kohli, with the final ball before lunch. The morning session turned out fruitful for the Windies.

Even the wall couldn’t stay for much long as he got caught at slip while trying for a cover drive off  Bishoo as the play resumed after lunch. And just two overs later, when the World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni fell for a duck, and India were stuggling at 85 for six, it seamed the host were the favourites to win the test.

But a fighting batting display by both Raina and Harbhajan gave India hope for a recovery. Raina reached his half century in 76 balls hitting 10 boundaries, while Harbhajan hit a fifty of just 45 balls smashing 9 fours as the game was heading for tea.

After tea break, the host hit back by getting Harbhajans wicket when he had scored 70. And the tail collapsed like pack of cards. Rampaul hit the final blow as he got rid of Raina and that was the end of Indian innings.

The West Indians went on to good start even while batting. And at the end of the first day, were at little unstable position at 34 for the loss of one wicket.