Delhi, Nov 6: West Indies kicked off their campaign against India on a positive note powered by Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten century on Day 1 of the first Test match at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The 37-year-old southpaw scored his 24th Test hundred to take the visitors to a total of 256 runs for the loss of five wickets after WI won the toss and opted to bat first.

Excerpts from his media interaction at the end of day’s play:

On what the century means to him

First of all, let me thank Lord Shiva for his blessings today. This means a lot to me because in the beginning I never really used to convert half-centuries into hundreds but now I have been able to do so. I am happy.

On the fluent knock

I could go on and play a bit more cautious, more patient […] but we probably would have been under more pressure. I think because the wicket is a flat one I thought that if I played a bit positive then it might help and be a little better.

On the Kotla wicket resembling the one in Guyana

Yeah, this is a similar wicket to Guyana. It is flat and one of those where the fast bowlers bowl the whole day and nothing much happens. I come from Guyana and have a lot of experience on wickets like these. It does take a little time to get accustomed to it.

On his partnership with Kraigg Brathwaite

He [Brathwaite] was great. He was being patient and I had told him to not do anything stupid and be more positive and a little bit aggressive and get [the] singles. If the bad balls come along then find the boundaries, if possible. And he played very well.

On the day's play

Yeah, we would have been probably happier if we would have lost three wickets in the day. But we will take this any day and hopefully we come tomorrow and play from it.