Twitter Reactions: Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja put India in driver's seat after mini collapse on Day 1 of second Test

The second and final Test of the two-match series between India and West Indies kicked off at the Queen’s Oval Park in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on July 20, Thursday. Having won the first game by a comfortable margin, the Rohit Sharma-led side looked confident as they walked into the game. The hosts too had the aim of winning this one in order to get to level terms.

The proceedings began with West Indies winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Both sides had one debutant each as India’s Mukesh Kumar and West Indies’ Kirk McKenzie played their maiden Test match. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal walked out to bat and started off really well as they immediately got their bats talking and the scoreboard ticking.

The duo scored their respective half-centuries and put up yet another century-stand in 127 deliveries as India comfortably reached the three-figure mark. The two batted through the entire first session as India’s scoreboard read 121/0 in 26 overs at Lunch. Jaiswal looked in good touch and carried the previous games’ momentum into the second Test, but was eventually dismissed for 57(74).

Shubman Gill failed to put up a show this time as well and was dismissed cheaply for a 12-ball 10. After Jason Holder and Kemar Roach had gotten the two top-order batters out, Jomel Warrican struck to send Indian skipper Rohit Sharma packing. The second session was dominated by the West Indies bowlers, as they picked up four crucial wickets.

After the top-order batters were sent back to the pavilion in the second session, Shannon Gabriel got his first wicket as he dismissed the vice-captain. Ajinkya Rahane, who was expected to perform similar heroics as what he did against Australia in the World Test Championship Final, failed to live up to the standards and gave away his wicket scoring a 36-ball eight as India stood at 182/4 at Tea.

Indian batters Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja did a tremendous job in the third session, as they kept their wickets intact and also managed to take India past the 200-run mark. The duo batted brilliantly and remained unbeaten at the close of play. While Kohli is currently at 87*(161), just 13 runs away from a brilliant century, Jadeja is at 36*(84) plying his trade for a half-century, as India closed Day 1 at 288/4 in 84 overs.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

This is another great partnership between Virat and Jaddu , looking for more today 👏👏#WIvIND

— Arunabh Bhardwaj (@ArunabhBhardwa4) July 21, 2023

#ViratKohli has surpassed former South-Africa all-rounder Jaques Kallis's tally of 25,534 runs to become the 5th leading run-getter in international cricket. Kohli is now behind Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, and Mahela Jayawardene. #WIvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/wsrjCZM243

— Hrishikesh Damodar (@HrishiDamodar) July 21, 2023

Rahane should play ODI kinda innings in Tests ... That's what everyone is expecting from him after watching his play in IPL. 2 cheap dismissals in 2 Tests on not so threatening pitches is some concern. May be he'll be in fire mode if he adopts playing at fast pace. #WIvIND

— LALU (@manthenalalu) July 20, 2023

Shubman Gill should open the innings. It is his spot. He's so good at starting the match. May be he was snubbed of his place or He did sacrificed is not the question. Whether he'll be as good as Pujara after a while and deliver is crucial.#WIvIND

— LALU (@manthenalalu) July 20, 2023

Rohit Sharma has scored 183 runs from 2 innings in this series.

Records made today :
- 2,000 in WTC history.
- 2,000 Test runs as an opener.
- Became 5th highest run scorer for India.
- Is now the 3rd highest run getter among active players. #RohitSharma𓃵 | #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/ptSlRtiv0m

— î (@ixxcric) July 20, 2023

The drive only I wanna see rest of my life. #ViratKohli #Viratian #INDvWI #WIvIND #JioCinema @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/Z8KyYL5Cox

— Agressive Anish (@Anishx18) July 20, 2023

It will be a good start to Friday if Kohli reaches 100 in the first hour. #WIvIND #Kohli

— Ram Kumar (@ram_158) July 20, 2023

man how am i gonna sleep now knowing that kohli is still few runs away from his century and day one is over.#WIvIND #ViratKohli𓃵

— 𝙰𝙱¹⁷ (@CruelMindAB) July 20, 2023

India's first Test vs WI in 2016 started on 21st July, Kohli scored 200 in that game. India Won by an innings and 66 runs.

Kohli on 87* on 21st July 2023 #WIvIND

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) July 20, 2023

India sleep well when @imVkohli bat & makes run well. 👑#WIvIND

— Sahil Bhardwaj (@ImBsahil) July 20, 2023