Masterblaster makes 38, India on top after day one

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar was batting on 38 in his farewell game. Giving Tendulkar Company in the middle was Cheteshwar Pujara, on 34, Shikar Dhavan on 33; Murali Vijay was out at 43 runs. India were 157 for two in response to the West Indies' 182 at stumps on day one of their second cricket Test at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday.

The West Indies were all out before tea with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha taking a five-wicket haul. It was palpable that West Indies batsmen were uncomfortable against the bowling of Shami Ahmed and Bhuvneshwar Kumar; and they looked naive against spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha.

In a single session, for 89 runs West Indies lost eight crucial wickets. Ojha, whose performance was not up to the mark in the first Test, picked up five crucial wickets for 40 in 11.2 overs, while Ashwin, who completed 100 wickets in Tests, had figures of three for 45 in 15 overs to show for his efforts.

The other bolwers who grabbed wickets are Mohammed Shami (1/36) and Bhuvneshar Kumar (1/45). However, they may not have got too many wickets but surely; they have created the initial pressure on West Indies.

From West Indies side the only batsman who scored reasonably was the opener, Keiran Powell (48). According to sports analysts, the match may not be played for 5 days as it happened in the first innings.

This match has become very prominent, as this match is the last test match being played by Indian Cricket God Sachin Tendulkar. From the other side, it is Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 150th Test match also.