India 278/2 on first day of first Test against West Indies

Mumbai, October 09: India makes a total of 278 runs on first day of first Test against West Indies with loss of two wickets. Virender Sehwag (147) and Sanjay Bangar (55) were dismissed in quick succession in the post-tea session by Mervyn Dillon not before putting India into a commanding position at 213/2. The duo put on a record opening partnership of 201 runs against West Indies. They overhauled the previous record between Chetan Chauhan and Sunil Gavaskar, who put on 153 against Australia in 1978-79 at the very same venue.

Sehwag's dismissal was a soft one, caught down the leg side by Ridley Jacobs. He blasted 24 fours and three sixes.

Earlier, Sehwag registered his first century on the Indian soil - his third in Tests as India reached 138 for no loss. It was imperious stuff, against pace and spin and Sehwag dominated the partnership scoring at a very brisk pace.

Sehwag provided glimpses of his strokeplay abilities as he continued to pile on runs after lunch. He blasted Carl Hooper through covers twice, then Nagamotoo was introduced into the attack just to see the ball sail over the ropes.

Bangar at the other end looked very resolute in defence and was undefeated on rock-solid 31.

Sehwag brought up the Indian hundred with a straight six over Mahendra Nagamootoo that went 20 rows back.

Sehwag completed his fourth half-century in the last over of the morning session when he square-drove left-arm fast bowler Pedro Collins for his 11th boundary. Sanjay Bangar was batting on 18.

India batted steadily throughout the first session to deny the West Indies success after electing to bat on a newly laid pitch.

West Indies skipper Carl Hooper, playing his 100th Test, used all of his specialist bowlers in short spells in hot and humid conditions but none could provide the breakthrough.

The pitch had neither pace nor bounce for the West Indies fast bowlers even on the first morning of the match and the Indian openers made the most of the conditions to give their team a solid start.

He then took two fours off Cameron Cuffy and three in an over off leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo, who hardly turned the ball in the first session.

Bangar was content to play a supporting role, relying on singles and intelligently rotating the strike during his 86-ball knock.

Mervyn Dillon was the most impressive paceman as he often tested the batsmen with short-pitched deliveries and conceded just seven runs in his opening six overs.

But he too failed to grab a wicket his team had been looking for to put pressure on India.