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XtraTime Web Desk: India opener Mayank Agarwal, who hit a classy half-century, thinks that India are in a great position after day 1 of the final Test between India and West Indies at the Sabina Park on a challenging track that kept getting better as they day wore on.

At stumps on Friday, India were in a strong position after half-centuries from Agarwal (55) and skipper Virat Kohli (76), which helped the team reach 264/5, while Jason Holder picked up three wickets to keep the visitors in check.

"I thought (in) the first session, the ball was doing a bit. Kemar Roach and Holder bowled great areas. It wasn't easy -- there was a lot of moisture and the ball was doing a bit," Agarwal told reporters after the end of the day's play.

"I think Holder is bowling in great areas; he is not giving you an inch. He is there pegging in those areas, pegging on length and short of length. And you know he doesn't give free deliveries for you to score (off).

"So the pressure is always there even if you defend him off -- the first spell he bowled six-seven overs in that he's given three or four maidens. So as a batsman, you're not getting much out of him (to score off)," Agarwal added.

West Indies handed spin-bowling all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall his Test match debut and he bowled 27 overs out of the 90 giving just 69 runs and taking the important wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara.

While praising Cornwall, Agarwal maintained that India were in a very good position.

"We are in a great position. To have lost just five wickets on a track like that was a good effort from our side.

"Rahkeem is very, very (consistent), he forms good clusters and he keeps bowling in those areas. I thought it wasn't very easy to score off him," said Agarwal.

"He definitely gets a lot more bounce compared to many other spinners. He just keeps hitting those lengths," he added.

After being put in to bat and reduced to 46/2, Agarwal and Kohli steadied the Indian ship and stitched together a 69-run partnership for the third wicket.

"We took our time and it was very important for Virat and me to actually get a partnership going, and it was important that one of us went on to score big."

Agarwal had to grind for his runs as he hit five boundaries in his 99-ball knock. Kohli too took time to settle down as the pitch assisted the fast bowlers with some swing on offer while also helping Cornwall get some turn off the surface.

"I can say it got a little better to bat on after the first session. The wicket got a lot harder as the sun beat down and lost some of its moisture," pointed Agarwal.

"It just kept getting a little better to bat on, but I think credit must be given to the West Indian bowlers, especially Roach and Holder -- they kept coming and kept bowling tight lines," he added.

At the end of day’s play, Hanuma Vihari & wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant remained not out on 42 & 27 respectively.