Twitter Reactions: Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal help India hold the forte on a tricky surface despite Holder’s efforts

Virat Kohli lost the toss on a green surface at the Sabina Park in Jamaica. The track had assistance for both pace bowlers as well as the spinners. Thus, it was a no-brainer that Jason Holder opted to bowl first. While the hosts made two changes to their eleven, India went with an unchanged side. West Indies roped in Rahkeem Cornwall and Jahmar Hamilton in place of Shai Hope and Miguel Cummins.

It was quite tricky for the batsmen and survival was tough. It was KL Rahul who fell first after scoring 13 runs. Holder produced a beauty after there was nothing off the pitch in the first 30 minutes. The 27-year-old was squared up and left his bat hanging in the air. The ball kissed his outside edge and Rahkeem Cornwall at first slip made no mistake.

Then, the day only got better for the debutant as he managed to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara. It was a third successive failure for the number three and he was done by the extra bounce this time. He tried to open the phase and hit the ball on the offside. However, because of the height from which it came from, the ball bounced a little bit more than he anticipated and in the process sliced it to the man at backward point.

Virat Kohli fails to convert a fifty into a hundred yet again

After these early jolts, Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal tried to reconsolidate. They played cautious cricket but ensured that they kept the scoreboard ticking. Once both these men got their eye in, they began to dominate the opposition with a wonderful partnership. But it was Jason Holder yet again who provided the breakthrough by dismissing Mayank for 55.

Ajinkya Rahane was nicked off by Kemar Roach for 24 runs. Though Virat Kohli was going strong at one end and it seemed as if he’d get to yet another Test hundred. However, while he was on 76, Holder squared him up with a brilliant out-swinger. In the last few months, the Indian skipper has failed to convert a fifty into hundred on quite a few instances and this was another one of those.

At the close of play, India finished with 264/5. While Hanuma Vihari is batting on 42, Rishabh Pant is going strong on 27. Twitterati applauded Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal for their efforts. They also enjoyed the bowling spell from Jason Holder.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Virat Kohli in Tests while batting first

Mat 28*
Won 22
Lost 1 (vs Eng, Lord’s, 2018)
Draw 4

Some people never learn.#WIvIND https://t.co/DYOg7M4Rj9

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) August 30, 2019

When the disappointment fades away & realization strikes, you’ll say this was a top knock from skipper, ???? would’ve been ideal but doesn’t take away the importance of the inning in the context of the match. On to lower order now. #WIvIND #Kohli

— Akshay Sharma (@BenGoat_) August 30, 2019

When you get your maiden Test wicket ???? #WIvIND | pic.twitter.com/Djn9e0GUnO

— Muhammad Noman (@Nomancricket29) August 30, 2019

Kohli, Rahane & Rishabh Pant watching Cornwall #INDvsWI #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/kxto1ieCAn

— Come On India ???????????? (@madam_jadeja) August 30, 2019

Tests:
149, 51, 97, 103, 58, 139, 123, 82, 50*

ODIs:
71, 140, 157*, 107, 104, 60, 116, 123, 82, 77, 67, 72, 66, 120, 114*

T20Is:
61*, 72*, 59, 51,

These are Virat Kohli’s scores of 50+ for India… just in the last 12 months.

Absolutely incredible.#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/N0d7GKElVB

— bet365 (@bet365) August 30, 2019

That will be Stumps on Day 1. 264/5
Vihari 42*
Pant 27*
Partnership 62* #TeamIndia #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/YkxFTh5rPZ

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 30, 2019

I hope he takes 1000 wickets. #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/TxdXqCIcUl

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) August 30, 2019

You misunderstand completely. His individuality and seemingly laissez faire attitude make him stand out in a wonderfully positive way for me. I’m sorry if my enjoyment of his game is confusing for you. I’ve always enjoyed the shepherd rather than the sheep ???? https://t.co/Rqv1WtEPrJ

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) August 31, 2019

The continuous giggling exoticization of Rahkeem Cornwall’s height and weight by @Swannyg66 on commentary is veering into cringeworthy territory. Yes, Swanny, he is taller and heavier than average. Move on. Stop acting like a 12 year old bully. #INDvsWI

— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) August 30, 2019

Wonder when cricket will stop being amused by how cricketers look, in case they’re different & start being unconditionally appreciative of how they play. It’s a rare sport that sees people of all sizes & shapes be good at it. Think #Rahkeem will bring about the change #WIvIND

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) August 30, 2019

39 overs of spin on Day-1 after winning the toss and fielding first on a green-top. No wonder India is right on top. And also no wonder that West Indies have lost the plot…once again. #WIvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 31, 2019

Viv Richards who fell ill suffering from dehydration due to excessive humidity in Jamaica “to all the fans around the world I want to say I have recovered. I am OK and I have returned to do commentary. No bowler in the world could do to me, what was done by nature today” #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 30, 2019

Virat just being Virat ????
Pics ✅
Autographs ✅
Smiles ✅
Winning hearts ✅ #TeamIndia @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/hiFQWw5MFs

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 30, 2019