India captain Virat Kohli has lauded a “complete performance” by his team after they thrashed West Indies by an innings and 92 runs inside four days in the first test in Antigua.
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Mohammed Shami picked up the crucial wicket of Darren Bravo just before lunch to peg West Indies back on day three of the first Test.
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, right, bowls against West Indies during day four of their first cricket Test match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, Sunday, July 24. Everyone understands the way we want to play on the field – where we need to bat, how we need to bowl, etc.
‘I haven’t seen any bowlers bowl so well in the early stage of the innings’. “He felt my body was not going through well yesterday because I was a little exhausted”, he added. Testing them with occasional bouncers, Shami and Ishant hardly gave the batsmen any room as they tried to just hang in there, without scoring.
The standout performance came from Kraigg Brathwaite, who scored a determined 74 whilst his teammates were regularly dismissed. I was here to speak, so I had a very good seat and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I went wicketless for the first 25-26 overs I bowled in the match, and in the past it would have definitely troubled me. So, I have started off well on that note.
Ashwin also praised coach Anil Kumble for his inputs during the match. “We’ll have to prise every wicket out”, said Ashwin.
Ashwin, who had been promoted up the order and batted alongside double centurion Virat Kohli, was thrilled with his efforts with the bat, and hoped to keep improving upon his average of more than 33. Unfortunately, Bravo didn’t get any runs in this Test. Marlon showed some form in the second innings and it is important for those two guys to carry the batting and lay the foundation. “But I am sure with the kind of form he is in and the way he is batting, he is going to go and cap it up somewhere on this tour”.
“To be honest, myself and Carlos Brathwaite are going up to a certain point in terms of what our roles are, bowling areas together and pick up one or two wickets”. These are some of the biggest names that cricketing world has ever heard.
Shami didn’t take a wicket in the second innings but was economical.
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The second Test of the series will be played in Kingston, Jamaica from Saturday.
