[WATCH] Nitish Reddy's flying catch dismisses Tagenarine Chanderpaul during IND vs WI Ahmedabad Test

India’s fielding performance during the Asia Cup 2025, especially at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, wasn’t up to the mark as they dropped several catches and continued to struggle for the entire event. However, they changed the skills and showed excellent fielding performance during the opening Test of the two-match series against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India declared on their overnight score of 448/5, having already earned a lead of over 286 runs as Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel celebrated three centuries in the first innings. The plan, perhaps, was to end the game inside three days and get two extra days off before the second Delhi Test.

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On the second ball of the eighth over, Mohammed Siraj went short at Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who swiveled across on the pull. However, he was slightly cramped for room and ended up muscling the shot. The ball was in the air for a long time as it hit the top of the blade and went left of the square leg.

Watch: Nitish Reddy’s flying catch sends back Tagenarine Chanderpaul during IND vs WI Ahmedabad Test

Nitish Reddy was stationed at the square leg region where he dived forward to grab a fine flying catch to dismiss the left-handed batter for eight runs. It was a superb judgement of catch from the all-rounder, who is expected to see his name in the squad for the away three ODIs against Australia down under.

West Indies continue to struggle in their opening partnerships in the longest format this year. The 12 runs in this innings are their joint third best for the opening stand, along with one half-century opening partnership in this ongoing year. With the bat, they were poor at applying their shots and skills against the opponents.

In terms of five or more Tests in a year, West Indies’ average of 10.20 is the lowest average for an opening stand in a calendar year during the five-day format. The second lowest belongs to South Africa in 1912, when they averaged 11.45, followed by Pakistan at the third position in 1986 with an average of just under 12.