The first test match of the West Indies tour to Zimbabwe 2023 commenced on Saturday (February 4) and is currently underway at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the visitors dominating the first three days of play.
Batting first, West Indies declared their innings on a mammoth score of 447/6 courtesy of skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s brilliant knocks. Brathwaite (182) scored a blazing ton to contribute to the team’s total, while Tagenarine (207) slammed a blistering unbeaten double century and etched his name into the history books. In the meantime, Brandon Mavuta took a 5-wicket haul for Zimbabwe.
Tagenarine is the son of veteran West Indies batter Shivanarine Chanderpaul, who himself has a double ton to his name in the longest format. With his exploits against Zimbabwe, the 26-year-old joined a rare list of father-son double centurions. Notably, senior Chandrapaul scored a double ton against South Africa in 2005.
Apart from Chanderpaul, Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammed and Shoaib Mohammed is the only father-son duo to achieve the feat.
In reply, Zimbabwe also started their innings well and are currently 114/3 at the stumps of Day 3. Innocent Kaia was batting on 59 for the hosts.
Fans on social media celebrated Tagenarine’s rare feat.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
A moment of history – father & son have scored a Test hundred for West Indies.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul – The future of West Indies. pic.twitter.com/LwVwU49pbf
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 5, 2023
Bound for greatness. This guy. What a player. #chandrapaul. https://t.co/zvxpWPHx2C
— Darshan Ashok (@darshan0110) February 5, 2023
An innings to remember for Tagenarine Chanderpaul – 207* in 467 balls with 16 fours and 3 sixes. A marathon knock by Tagenarine, he announced his arrival in international cricket. pic.twitter.com/YjuG0yYPCe
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 6, 2023
Tagnarine now surpassed his father's (Shiv Chandrapaul) highest test score (203*) within 207*(407) Marathon Inning against @ZimCricketv .
A Shiny inning from #RisingStar #ZIMvsWI #CricketTwitter #Cricket #Trending
— Randunu Navoda Fernando (@Randunu16) February 6, 2023
Innings taken by Shivnarine Chandrapaul to reach first double century: 135 innings
Innings taken by his son Tagenarine Chandrapaul to first maiden double century: 04 innings#ZIMvsWI #CricketTwitter
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) February 6, 2023
Tagenarayan made his maiden test century
He is son of farmer Windies player Shivnarayan chandrapaul— सुब्रत शंकर 'सनातनी' (@subrats37934357) February 5, 2023
Shivnarine Chanderpaul has a hundred against Zimbabwe in Tests.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul has a double hundred against Zimbabwe in Tests.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 6, 2023
Shivnarine Chanderpaul reached his maiden Test double century with a four.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul reached his maiden Test double century with a six.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 6, 2023
Like father like son- definition ❤️
— The new Bharat Army (@vaspar78) February 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/well_left_for_4/status/1622566764801581057