Kuldeep Yadav marked his comeback in the Indian Test team after almost a year with an immediate impact as he sent back West Indies` star batter Shai Hope right at the stroke of Lunch on Day 1 of the 1st Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday, October 2. The left-arm wrist-spinner lured Hope into the drive and sharp turn saw his furniture being disturbed.
Shai Hope was looking good as he scored 26 runs in just 35 balls and wanted to dominate Kuldeep from the outset. However, Kuldeep Yadav was one step forward as he slowed up a delivery outside off-stump. Hope`s eyes lit up as he tried to drive that delivery through the covers. However, he left a big gap between bat and pad, and the ball turned just enough to hit his off-stump. Hope`s reaction after being dismissed just showed how cleverly Kuldeep had outfoxed him.
Here`s a video of Kuldeep Yadav dismissing Shai Hope:
Speaking about the game, India are right on top of the first Test match after being asked to bowl first as they have restricted West Indies to 90/5 in the first session. West Indies skipper Roston Chase won the toss and opted to bat first, expecting the pitch to offer more turn later. However, his batters failed to withstand the new ball burst from the Indian bowlers as the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were bang on the money.
Siraj starred with the wickets of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, and Alick Athanaze, while Bumrah contributed with the wicket of John Campbell. Shai Hope came to the crease and began to turn the tide on the Indians with a handy partnership with skipper Roston Chase. However, just when it seemed like the duo would go to Lunch unscathed, Kuldeep Yadav produced a beautiful delivery to trap Hope.
West Indies are reeling at 90/5 and will need a garangutan effort from Chase and their lower middle order to post a competitive total. India, meanwhile, will look to push on and try and bowl out West Indies as soon as possible to get further ascendancy in the Test.