1st Test: Ishant Sharma Picks His 9th Five-Wicket Haul To Put West Indies On Backfoot

Ishant Sharma ran through the West Indies top and middle-order to put them on the backfoot on Day 2 of the first Test in Antigua on Friday. Fast bowler Ishant Sharma began his opening spell on an expensive note but recovered well to pick his ninth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Ishant Sharma dismissed opener Kraigg Brathwaite (14), followed by in-form Roston Chase (48), Shai Hope (24), Shimron Hetmyer (35) and Kemar Roach (0). Ishant Sharma finished with the figures of 5/42 when umpires called it a day.

The West Indies lost five wickets in the final session to be reeling at 189 for eight in their first innings at stumps, trailing India by 108 runs. India were helped by Roston Chase (48 off 47), John Campbell (23 off 30), Darren Bravo (18 off 27), Shai Hope (24 off 65) and Shimron Hetmyer (35 off 47) who were all guilty of throwing it away after promising starts. 

India, who resumed the day at 203 for six, went on to make 297 courtesy a fighting 58 from Ravindra Jadeja who was ably supported by Ishant (19 off 62) during their 60-run stand for the eighth wicket.

The conditions were good for batting but the West Indies batsmen failed to apply themselves. 

Ishant made life difficult for them both with bat and ball. After frustrating the hosts in the morning session with his dogged stay in the middle, Ishant troubled the opposition with his incisive spells which included highly effective cross seam deliveries. He was brilliant too with catching off his own bowling as he got two wickets in that fashion. 

(With PTI inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team West Indies vs India 2019 Ishant Sharma Cricket