When Roston Chase, captain of the West Indies Test side won the toss at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 2 October 2025, he elected to bat on a grass‑laden green top. The decision sparked a roller‑coaster first session that saw the visitors crumble for 80 runs, while the hosts lingered at 121‑2 at stumps, trailing by 41. The day’s drama hinged on a handful of key players, early swing, and a pitch that promised more than just a batting‑friendly surface.

Match Overview

The opening Test of the two‑match series, officially titled India vs West Indies – 1st TestNarendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, kicked off at 9:30 am IST under a sky mottled with lingering drizzle. The ground staff had prepared a red‑soil track with a generous green covering, meaning the first two hours would be a test of patience and technique.

First‑Day Highlights

West Indies’ top order never found its footing. Within the opening 30 minutes, the duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj induced four early dismissals – a mix of edged nicks and mis‑timed drives. While Bumrah’s seamless yorkers looked textbook, Siraj’s searing outswing exploited the slight moisture, leaving the visitors’ batsmen guessing.

The only glimmer of resistance came from a 48‑run stand between Roston Chase and wicket‑keeper Shai Hope. Their partnership faltered when Kuldeep Yadav struck a sharp off‑spinner that ripped through Hope’s defence, sending him off for a caught‑behind. The West Indies were bundled out for 80, a total that scarcely threatened the hosts.

India’s reply was a picture of steadiness. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan negotiated the new‑ball, but both fell before tea – Jaiswal dismissed after a brief rain‑interruption, caught behind off a delivery from the lanky left‑arm seamer Jayden Seales, who, despite finishing with a solitary wicket, was praised for his disciplined line.

At the close of play, the scoreboard read 121‑2, with KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill unbeaten. Their measured approach kept India within touching distance, but the early loss of two wickets reminded everyone that the green top still held bite.

Key Performances

• Jasprit Bumrah – 2 wickets for 28 runs in 8 overs, showcasing classic swing.
• Mohammed Siraj – 2 wickets for 32 runs, his pace unsettling the West Indian top order.
• Kuldeep Yadav – 1 wicket for 22 runs, the breakthrough that broke the only West Indian stand.
• Shubman Gill – 45* runs, steadying the chase and demonstrating why he retained the captaincy.
• KL Rahul – 38* runs, a composed innings that balanced aggression with defence.

Implications for the Series

The early collapse of the West Indies raises questions about their readiness for a five‑day grind. Their regular senior players – Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are absent, signalling a new era for the home side. India’s depth was on display, yet the host side cannot afford complacency; a similar under‑estimation cost them a 3‑0 home series loss to New Zealand in 2019.

Shubman Gill’s leadership, forged during the hard‑fought 2‑2 England series where he amassed 754 runs, will be tested further. His decision‑making at the crease and field placement will shape the remainder of the match. Should India capitalize on the modest lead, they could clinch a commanding first‑innings lead, putting pressure on a visiting side still searching for its rhythm.

Historical Context

This Test is notable for being the first home fixture in over a decade without the core group that propelled India to a 12‑year unbeaten run at home. The retirement of stalwarts like Ashwin and Kohli has ushered in a transitional phase, with younger talents such as Jaiswal, Sudharsan and Rahul stepping into the breach. The series also marks a return to the world’s largest cricket stadium after a prolonged hiatus caused by the pandemic‑era scheduling reshuffle.

Historically, the West Indies have struggled on Indian green‑top pitches, a trend dating back to the 2018‑19 series where they were bundled out for 129 in the first innings at Chennai. The current predicament mirrors those earlier difficulties, underscoring the importance of disciplined technique on such surfaces.

What to Watch on Day 2

Morning sessions will focus on two things: India’s ability to build a substantial first‑innings total and the West Indies’ response with the ball. Expect Bumrah to continue extracting seam movement, while Siraj will look to impose short‑run aggression. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav will likely become a more prominent figure as the pitch dries.

For the visitors, the key will be whether they can shake off the early jitters and generate wickets with their pacers – particularly the swing‑bowling duo of Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein. Their ability to apply pressure could dramatically alter the series narrative.