The China Mail - Siraj takes 4-40 as India dominate West Indies in first Test

The hosts were 121-2 at stumps with KL Rahul unbeaten on 53 at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad at the start of the two-match series.

Rahul reached his 20th Test fifty and stood firm along with skipper Shubman Gill, on 18, at close of play.

West Indies pace spearhead Jayden Seales had Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind for 36 and skipper Roston Chase trapped Sai Sudharsan lbw for seven with his off-spin.

The Indian openers started cautiously before Rahul and the left-handed Jaiswal got going with a few boundaries in a session interrupted by a brief spell of rain.

The giant stadium, which has a capacity of 132,000, was largely empty despite a national holiday on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Seales broke through for the visitors to end a 68-run opening stand as he got Jaiswal caught behind and celebrated with a leap and punch in the air.

Rahul lost another partner in Sudharsan, who fell in Chase's first over, but stood calm with the captain to see India through to stumps.

A depleted West Indies won the toss but the Indian attack struck regular blows to bowl out the visitors in 44.1 overs in the second session.

Siraj drew first blood with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a duck and extended his tally of Test wickets to 27 this year, having played a key role in India's 2-2 draw in England.

After an initial first spell of 3-19 in seven overs, Siraj returned in the second session to get one more wicket and was ably supported by fellow quick Jasprit Bumrah.

Number seven Justin Greaves top-scored for the West Indies with 32 before being bowled by Bumrah, who took three wickets.

Chase (24) and Shai Hope attempted to revive the innings after the West Indies slipped to 42-4 in the first hour of play.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav bowled Hope for 26 to end the 48-run fifth-wicket stand at the stroke of lunch.

Kuldeep got his second to wrap up the innings and early tea was called.

West Indies were swept 3-0 at home by Australia this year and were bowled out for 27 in the third match, the second-lowest score in Test history.

They have been forced into late changes after injuries to pace bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, and are a pale shadow of the team that once dominated cricket.

India are strongly tipped to sweep the series.

Y.Parker--ThChM