All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha's unbeaten 108-run partnership empowered India after the top-order fell within the first 50 overs of the first day's play of the third Test against the West Indies in St Lucia. India ended the day at 234/5 after being at 126/5 before tea. A win in the third Test will give India a series victory and also help them become No 1 in the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.

India were off to a poor start after losing the first five wickets within the first two sessions. But Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha made sure that the visitors did not lose any more wickets to help India end Day 1 at 234/5. KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane failed to capitalise on their good starts, while the others fell early without much of a fight. Rohit Sharma, who was brought into the team in place of Cheteshwar Pujara, could only score nine.