Ajinkya Rahane's 81 inspires India fightback against West Indies

Indians were reeling at 25-3 but recovered to 203-6 on Day 1 of first Test

India's Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot against West Indies during day one of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
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Ajinkya Rahane held India together after West Indies' pacemen flourished on a rain-affected opening day of the first Test in Antigua.

Having lost the toss, the tourists were in trouble at 25-3 in the eighth over.

But No 5 Rahane came to the fore, hitting 81 off 163 balls, including 10 boundaries, to help India make 203-6 in the 68.5 overs of play that was possible due to rain.

Kemar Roach had Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara caught behind in the space of five balls before Shannon Gabriel accounted for captain Virat Kohli for only nine.

Rahane then joined forces with KH Rahul (44) and Hanuma Vihari (32), sharing stands of 68 and 82 respectively, to help India fight back.

Rahul edged Roston Chase behind and Roach accounted for Vihari in similar fashion, with Rahanesoon following when playing on to Gabriel.

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja will resume Day 2 on Friday on respectively 20 and three respectively.