Ind Vs WI Test Series: India beats West Indies by an innings and 140 runs, leads 1-0
Ahmedabad, Oct 4: Vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja starred with figures of 4-54 as India wrapped up a dominant victory over West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. The win coming before tea break on day three gives India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and also marks a successful home Test captaincy debut for Shubman Gill.
India began the day by declaring with a lead of 286 runs, and that was enough on board to get a comprehensive win over the West Indies, who were quickly reduced to 46/5. Though Alick Athanaze (38) and Justin Greaves (25) offered brief resistance via a 46-run stand, it wasn’t nearly enough, as they were bowled out for 45.1 overs in their second innings.
West Indies’ batting lasting for just 89.2 overs across both innings is a stark reflection of their long-term struggles in the longest format. With their bowlers struggling to challenge India’s top order, West Indies face an uphill task to regroup and put up a better show in the second and final Test in New Delhi, starting on October 10.
Though Jadeja missed out on a five-wicket haul, he did have a memorable Test through an unbeaten 104. Dhruv Jurel’s maiden century and KL Rahul’s composed hundred laid the foundation for India’s massive first-innings total of 488/5 in a dominant Test for the hosts’, especially after suffering a 3-0 series loss to New Zealand at home last year.
After India’s declaration meant not opting to give Nitish Kumar Reddy a hit with the bat and instead pushing for a swift finish, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj set the tone with a probing new-ball spell. Siraj also produced a snorter to beat Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s edge before dismissing him with a short ball.
The wicket was also made possible due to Nitish’s athleticism at square leg – diving full stretch to pouch a stunning catch airborne – something which can become a viral Instagram reel in what was an exceptional day of catching for India.
Jadeja then took over to remove John Campbell with a ball that drifted in and took the outside edge via extra bounce to forward short leg. He followed it up with a clever change in flight to trap Brandon King, who had earlier driven him for four but was lured into a mistimed poke to slip.
