Teen West Indian fast bowler debuts with Virat Kohli’s prized scalp

Published August 9, 2016
India's captain Virat Kohli plays a shot. — AP
India's captain Virat Kohli plays a shot. — AP

KOLKATA: West Indian teen pacer Alzarri Joseph made a dream debut on Tuesday when he scalped Indian captain Virat Kohli in his third over on the first day of the third Test at Gros Islet.

Joseph, a member of the West Indian colts side that picked up the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh this February, surprised Kohli with a scorcher that reared up after being banged in short just outside off.

Kohli was caught off-guard with the pace and the extra lift and looked to fend with hard hands, but ended up nicking to Darren Bravo at first slip.

Read: Just how good is Virat Kohli?

The Indian captain, who has scores of 200 and 44 so far in the series, promoted himself to the number-three position in place of Cheteshwar Pujara, who has made way for Rohit Sharma.

Kohli, however, lasted only eight deliveries and scored three in his new position.

Joseph’s first international wicket reduced India to 19 for two in the sixth over, the delivery that fetched him the prized scalp clocking 141 kph.

Read: Virat Kohli does it all, almost

His first spell read five overs, one maiden, 15 runs and one wicket.

The 19-year-old was playing in the Caribbean Premier League for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots when he was called for national duty before the second Test at Antigua that ended in a draw.

Joseph sat out in Antigua, but received his cap from West Indian legend Joel Garner on Tuesday morning. He replaced Devendra Bishoo.

Read: 'Superhero' Kohli smashes IPL runs record

The teenager, who also holds the distinction of bowling the fastest delivery at the U-19 World Cup at 143 kph, had played just eight first-class matches before making his Test debut.

India were 87 for 3 at lunch, with Ajainkya Rahane, 17 and Rohit Sharma, 9, at the crease.

KL Rahul scored his first 50 in this Test before he chipped an attempted flick to short fine leg. He had three centuries from six Tests before this, but no score between 16 and the three-figure mark.

Opinion

Editorial

Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.
Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...