India dominant on day one of warm-up game

Two for 61 from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was as good as it got for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s XI on the first day of their warm-up game against India at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts, on Saturday.

Half-centuries from Lokesh Rahul (50 retired out), Shikhar Dhawan (51 retired out) and Rohit Sharma (54 not out), kept the President’s XI bowlers at bay as the Indians ended day one on 258 for three.

It was only after India’s first three batsmen, Rahul, Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara (34 retired out), that the President’s XI began to make any headway, with Warrican getting the dangerous Virat Kohli caught behind for 14.

Shane Dowrich, who is looking for a place in the West Indies side after the hint that standard bearer Denesh Ramdin would not play any part, took the catch. Warrican was at it again eight overs later, bowling Ajinkya Rahane for five.

Sharma however, stood tall and took the total to something respectable, before his partnership with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (22) was brought to an end by Damion Jacobs.

Amit Mishra, who is on 18, and Sharma will return to the crease in the morning. Jacobs ended with figures of 1 for 80 from 22 overs of bowling, while pacers Jason Dawes (10 overs for 20) and Marquino Mindley, (12 overs for 34), went wicketless.

Roston Chase has so far bowled 10 overs for 21, while Keon Joseph ended the day with figures of 13 overs for 40 runs. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Photo caption: Rohit Sharma