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Brian Lara went for a duck but captain Carl Hooper led from the front with an unbeaten 108 as West Indies ended the opening day of the first Test against India on 270 for four.

The West Indies skipper, who had elected to bat first on winning the toss in Guyana, shared a patient 113-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (53).

He then added another brisk unbeaten 113 for the fifth with Shivnaraine Chanderpaul (57 not out).

Hooper brought up his 11th test hundred cutting leg-spinner Anil Kumble to the third-man fence.

"I've been desperate to make a 100 before my home crowd for so long that when the moment finally arrives you can allow to let yourself go," said the jubilant Hooper.

He hammered 14 fours and a straight six off Kumble in front of his home crowd at the Bourda cricket ground.

They were delighted to see all three members of the team's Guyanese middle-order turn things around after a fiery opening spell from Javagal Srinath.

Unhappy

The 32-year-old Bangalore paceman had removed openers Chris Gayle and Stuart Williams early in the morning session.

His third victim, Lara - playing his first serious match in over three months after an elbow injury - arrived to a huge roar from the crowd.

But was soon on his way back, judged caught behind by umpire Daryl Harper to a rising delivery.

Lara, looking unhappy with the decision, lingered at the crease for a few seconds before making his way back. Television replays suggested he might have been unlucky.

Hooper insisted afterwards that his side were prepared for a backlash by the Indians.

"We would like to say we'll get 500 runs. The Indians will fight back and we have to be prepared for that.

"We'll have to battle it out in the first session tomorrow."

India: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Deep Dasgupta, Shiv Sundar Das, Vangipurappu Laxman, Sanjay Bangar, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Sarandeep Singh, Zaheer Khan.