The weather this time of the year in the Caribbean is quite like the one we have in the subcontinent – humid and high chances of shower. As India and West Indies locked horns for the first of the five ODIs in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, weather had plans of its own and rain came pouring down from time to time to ensure that there was no play once the players walked off after the second interruption in play. However, there was some cricket, as India batted and the Windies bowled 39.2 overs in the match.

The hosts won the toss and opted to field. Virat Kohli though, was not unhappy at losing the toss as he said that he wanted to bat first anyway. India handed the ‘chinaman’, Kuldeep Yadav his ODI debut. Having made three changes since the Champions Trophy final, India brought in Ajinkya Rahane and Umesh Yadav for Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah respectively. All eyes were on the exciting, left-arm spinner, Kuldeep Yadav who managed to replace Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI. Unfortunately, his opportunity to roll his arm over, or even bat, didn’t come.

India got off to a solid start as the openers built a sturdy foundation. Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane were both looking in good touch from the word go. While Rahane stuck to his trait and took some time to get his eyes in, Dhawan accumulated a couple of boundaries inside the first five overs. Rahane hit his first four in the sixth over off Alzarri Joseph. That got him going and he gradually eased into some fine strokeplay. In no time, Rahane overtook Dhawan who slowed down slightly, and India’s fifty came up without any casualties.

Dhawan eventually took on the spinner, Ashley Nurse, dispatching him for two boundaries in the 15th over. The race to get to their half-centuries was on as both batsmen got into the 40s at roughly, the same time. It was Rahane who got there first, as he edged the ball to the third man fence, past the wicket-keeper. It was an important achievement for Rahane, considering he didn’t play a single Champions Trophy game and was making a return to the line-up. Dhawan got to his fifty in style though, nonchalantly sending the ball beyond the ropes, with a graceful pick-up shot.

Rahane tried to force the issue when he attacked an Alzarri Joseph slower one, a tad bit early. His leading edge was easily taken at mid-on, and it brought out the Indian skipper to the centre. Dhawan went about playing his shots and continuing his rich vein of form until he was trapped in front by Bishoo. He opted for the review, but three reds meant, he had to stroll back to the pavilion. Replays showed that the ball wasn’t turning much and went straight on, which did the trick for Bishoo. The on-field call stayed as it is and Dhawan was forced to depart. West Indies had to work really hard to get the Indian openers, who made merry and were getting the boundaries quite regularly.

Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh looked to build another stand but Yuvraj played one straight to the fielder at mid-wicket off Jason Holder. Even though he got out cheaply, he crossed a milestone, becoming the only Indian player to score 500 ODI runs in West Indies.

The pair of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni had all the onus on them to finish things off for India but rain made its presence felt after the 38th over. Nearly an hour was wasted due to rain and India were all set to go hard in the last 10-odd overs. The players returned after the break, but their stay in the middle was cut short once again. Rain came pouring down once again and this time pretty heavily, after just 8 balls since the previous break.

The players will be frustrated with the fact that rain played spoilsport In the first ODI itself. However, Kohli will be happy with the openers’ performance, especially Rahane’s, who slotted in well and contributed with a half-century. The pitch in Trinidad was on the slower side and adjusting to the pace of the surface was the key with the bat. Kohli himself got a few runs and a decent look-in with the bat. The second ODI will be played here as well, on Sunday, 25th June. Let’s hope that rain keeps a fair distance from the game.