Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field against West Indies in the second Test match of the three-match series in Trinidad on Thursday. Shardul Thakur has missed out as he has pulled up a niggle, Mukesh Kumar will make his debut in the match. India captain Rohit said at the toss, “We were looking to bat first, looks nice and sunny as well. It’s going to get slower and slower. Shardul has pulled up a Niggle. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite also said, “We are gonna have a bowl first. Shannon comes back into the team.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal struck brisk half-centuries as they powered India’s strong start after being asked to bat in the second Test at Port of Spain, Trinidad. As many as 14 fours and three sixes were scored between the openers in the opening session on Thursday (July 20) as India scored at a rate of 4.65 to reach 121/0 at Lunch on Day 1. Jaiswal got off to a confident start, cutting the first ball from Kemar Roach for three runs. Alzarri Joseph found some away swing against Rohit, who was happy to shoulder arms most of the time while Jaiswal was solid with his defence and judgement. The pitch did not have much help for the pacers, although a couple of deliveries did nip back into Rohit. But the bowling was also wayward at times, and a short ball from Roach was pulled away nonchalantly by Rohit for the first six of the match. There were a couple of close shaves for Jaiswal, who was troubled by an inswinger from Joseph which he inside-edged, and then got an outside edge that went over gully for a four. But he hit back strongly by pulling a short ball for a six in the same over. Shannon Gabriel, who came in place of Rahkeem Cornwall, beat Rohit’s outside edge twice after being introduced into the attack for the seventh over, and even found the edge which landed short of third slip. The second game of the series marked the 100th Test between West Indies and India, with both captains being presented with commemorative plaques before the start of the match. There were two debutants in the game, with India getting in pacer Mukesh Kumar in place of Shardul Thakur while left-handed batter Kirk McKenzie replaced Raymon Reifer for West Indies.
