North Sound (Antigua): It's Carnival time in these parts, but thus far in the first Test, the partying has all been India's monopoly.
The honours have gone to two men: Virat Kohli, India's Test captain, and the fiercely competitive Ravichandran Ashwin.
Virat and Ashwin collaborated no less than 168 for the fifth wicket, throwing the West Indies on the mat so very early in the four-Test series.
While Virat's an absolute master now, highly accomplished, too, is Ashwin.
Just months after telling The Telegraph that Virat would go on to become an "all-time legend," Ashwin had the best seat as the former stroked his way to a maiden 200.
Ashwin, promoted to No.6 ahead of Wriddhiman Saha, himself played a handsome hand of 113 as India took a stranglehold on the opening Test.
In fact, all three of Ashwin's Test hundreds have come against the West Indies, beginning with the 103 in his debut series (Mumbai, November 2011).
After being in the thick of action for almost all of Friday, Ashwin faced the media at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Excerpts...
On enjoying batting against the West Indies...
That's because I've got more time against the West Indies and, each time that I got a hundred, I had a specialist batsman at the other end. For a batsman lower down the order, that's important... I have got runs against the West Indies and if you start getting a liking towards one team, then something within tells you that you can do it again.
Simply enjoying batting...
I've always wanted to be in the top seven for India. It's a goal I have to strive for and get better at. I need to thank Anil bhai (head coach Kumble) and Virat for having had the confidence in me to be pushed at No.6... Virat had called in the morning to say I'd be batting at No.6, ahead of Saha, which was a big boost... I'd been working on my batting in Chennai over the past one month and I'm happy with the results... I'd never left so many balls... Before the Test, Ajinkya Rahane told me about batting for 200 balls. My aim was for 150 and to try and see where I got... In between, I'd played one over from (Shannon) Gabriel which was loose. Virat came over and said that is what I needed to avoid to be successful in Test cricket.
[As it turned out, Ashwin batted for 253 balls.]
Change in stance...
First things first, Sanjay Bangar, our batting coach, has worked very closely on my stance for the past 12 months. It has been a challenge... I used to be extra side-on and had to open myself a little bit. The change has been very effective. Other things like my initial movement also had to be sorted. It was a process for 10-12 months and, on the way, I did lose a few innings as a batsman.
Role he's looking at and if the 113 has helped him make a statement...
I'm not trying to state anything that is not obvious. I'm just trying to enjoy my batting. If this is what the team expects out of me, then that is what I'm going to try and give. Some sort of solidity walking in at No.6. It's not that you walk in at No.6 and start getting the runs. It's not as simple as it sounds, but I'd really make an effort to be as solid as I can be. The team should feel that somebody who gives solidity has walked in. More than anything it's a goal I'm striving for.
Batting with Virat...
The West Indies bowling coach (Roddy Estwick) has talked about how good the wicket is, but certain shots cannot be played on it. The wicket has good bounce and there are areas where the ball is coming at a different pace... Yet, when I walked in, I felt Virat was hitting a few shots which I'd find impossible to connect. That's the sheer brilliance of Virat and he's been batting like that for the past year or so. He's playing shots which make the bowling look ridiculous. Out of the ordinary shots.
On looking ahead...
We'll have to maintain the intensity for every hour. We'll have to earn every wicket.
Postscript: Back at the Sugar Ridge Resort, Ashwin was warmly hugged by chief selector Sandeep Patil. "Very good innings, well done, Ash," he said.
