Who Said What: World reacts after Virat Kohli's century puts India in command
Virat Kohli’s maiden Test century against West Indies and a fifty from Shikhar Dhawan helped India finish day one of the first Test against West Indies on 302/4. Kohli ended the day unbeaten on 143 with Ravichandran Ashwin for company.
Indian skipper inched closer to another record even before coming in to bat as he won his fifth consecutive toss, one behind the Indian record and had no hesitation in asking the hosts to bowl. India lost Murali Vijay early but Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the ship.
But just when it looked as though he got through the initial lean phase, Pujara went for a pull that isn’t there and was caught after top-edging the ball. But that brought Dhawan and Kohli together, who put on the first hundred partnership of the series.
Dhawan got to his fifty and looked on course for his century but fell 16 short as he missed his sweep shot and was out plumb to Devendra Bishoo. But Virat Kohli made no mistake as he got his first century against West Indies in Tests.
Although Ajinkya Rahane fell for 22, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was promoted to No.6, ended the day unbeaten on 18 along with Kohli as the visitors ended the day in command.
Will learn from this: Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan said: "Enjoyed my knock, in the first session they were bowling well, especially Gabriel. I just had to take the punches and I was happy I had the persistence to keep going. And when the spinners came, I took advantage.
"That's the game. It's not every time I'll keep getting boundaries from the start, I had to grind. I still remember in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, I played that kind of innings. I am happy I have that versatility in me. Very important in today's cricket.
“I feel that I have that kind of game where I can excel in all three formats, it's a journey, getting matured, three years with India, now I know my game and my plans. I felt sad when I got out, specially it was the end of the session and as a team goal we don't want to lose a wicket at the start or end of the session and personally for me, it wasn't a very good delivery to get out. it was wrong shot selection. But I will learn from this. Next time I will know what to do. Sad to miss century, but I'm happy I scored 84 runs and I started well"
Here’s how the cricket fraternity reacted to the day:
Plenty of praise came Virat Kohli’s way.
Virender Sehwag got his predictions spot on:
Tomorrow morning jab soke uthoge, Kohli would have scored a century. Makes it look so easy.#WIvsInd
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 21, 2016
Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody:
Like shelling peas, @imVkohli notches up 12th test hundred. #WIvIND #Antigua #ClassAct
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) July 21, 2016
Sanjay Manjrekar:
Like you would get up on a Sunday morning & go out for an easy stroll, that how it seemed ...Virat getting that 100. #WIvInd
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 21, 2016
Ian Bishop:
Amazing that Kohli hasn't yet scored a double century in test cricket? It will come in time somewhere down the road.
— ian bishop (@irbishi) July 21, 2016
Shikhar Dhawan evoked some conversation as well:
Aakash Chopra:
How you react to pressure is a good indicator of ur character...Dhawan was under pressure & he's responded well. Need to make it big #WIvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 21, 2016
Sanjay Manjrekar:
Shikhar has obvious weaknesses as a top order test batsman but it's clear to see that he wants to play test cricket. Good fighting knock.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 21, 2016
Tom Moody:
Well played @SDhawan25 nice way to kickoff your West Indian tour! #WIvIND #TestCricket
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) July 21, 2016