India vs West Indies 1st Test: Rahul's Calm Fifty Steadies India After Early West Indies Fightback

The much-anticipated first Test of the 2025-26 home summer series between India and West Indies began on October 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a modest total of 162 all out, with India's bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, sharing seven wickets between them.

In reply, India demonstrated strong intent and resilience, finishing Day 1 at 121 for 2, trailing by 41 runs. The star of the Indian innings was KL Rahul, who scored a well-composed 53 not out, showcasing a sense of calm and control that has become his hallmark across various batting positions. Rahul’s innings served as a stabilizing factor for India, indicating a solid platform for the hosts moving forward.

This Test marks a significant change for India, as it is the first home Test since November 2010 played without legends Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, or Rohit Sharma. The team is currently navigating the challenge of filling at least four key spots in the playing XI, with notable competition among players such as Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Reddy, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel to complement confirmed selections like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The West Indies side features young talent with a focus on gaining experience, relying heavily on seasoned players Shai Hope and Roston Chase, who bring valuable Test cricket exposure from previous tours in India. Despite their efforts, the visitors found the conditions and Indian bowling attack challenging, reflected in their relatively low first innings total.

As the match progresses, India will look to leverage their top-order stability and strong bowling foundation to impose pressure and seek a significant advantage. The series holds added interest given the transition phase both teams seem to be undergoing, with India rebuilding its home Test squad and West Indies developing its young talent.
Fans and cricket enthusiasts in India can look forward to an exciting contest unfolding over the next four days at the Ahmedabad venue.