India takes a lead of 1-0 as vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja starred in the first Test against West Indies, scoring an unbeaten century, taking four wickets, and leading towards victory by an innings and 140 runs in just three days. In their second essay, the West Indies performed even worse, losing by a staggering 286 runs after India declared their overnight score of 448 for 5. They were bowled out for 146 in 45.1 overs. With 4 for 54 in the second innings, Jadeja was the best bowler.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Captain Shubman Gill said, “Honestly, I think this was the perfect game for us. Three centuries, and we fielded really well, so no complaints.”
With the outcome of the match and the series tilted heavily in favour of the formidable hosts, India outclassed the struggling West Indies in all facets on a track that behaved differently on all three days. If it was a lively track assisting pacers on Day One, exploited to the tilt by Mohammed Siraj (4/40 and 3/31) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/42), the pitch offered a little to bowlers on Day Two as batters made merry.
By the end of it, India, who had amassed a lead big enough to impose an innings defeat on the troubled visitors, ensured there was no change to the script for the huge win in the first of their four home Tests this season.
KL, Dhruv, Jadeja’s 100 -
As India displayed their batting prowess and chastised the West Indies for their difficult task of taking wickets, opener KL Rahul (100) ended his nine-year century drought at home, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (125) recorded his first Test century, and Jadeja (104 not out) extended his purple patch with the bat.
India was hoping to extract some assistance early in the morning on Day Three, and declared at their overnight total, but it was the Jadeja-led Indian spinners who exploited the grip off the surface and rough patches to run riot. While Nitish Reddy’s athleticism handed Siraj the first wicket among pacers, it was Jadeja (4/54) who followed up his unbeaten ton with a three-wicket burst to initiate a swift end to the West Indies’ plight, reducing them to 66/5 at lunch.
In fact, Jadeja, with his century and a four-for in the second innings, narrowly missed the feat of hitting a ton and taking a five-for in a Test, which he has done twice in the past.
Siraj then produced a two-wicket over post lunch, dismissing Justin Greaves (25) and Jomel Warrican (0), shortly after Washington Sundar (1/18) caught-and-bowled the last of the recognised batters, Alick Athanaze, who batted well for his 38.
Kuldeep Yadav (2/23) took a sharp return catch of Jayden Seales (22), who had struck some meaty blows to bring an end to the game shortly after drinks in the second session.
Jadeja was menacing on a track offering turn as he ran through the West Indies top-order. While the left-arm spinner wrecked havoc in that frail batting order, which fell like a pack of cards once again, Kuldeep Yadav (1/15) and Siraj (1/16) also had their share of contributions.
It all began with India’s declaration, which expedited the inevitability, as only one result was possible given the state of the West Indies team. And it did not take long for the floodgates to open.
West Indies captain Roston Chase (1) was no match for Kuldeep’s brilliance, who tested him with an array of variations before bamboozling him with one that was shorter in length and straightened and knocked down his off-stump.
When Shai Hope, the most reliable batsman for the West Indies, pushed himself at No. 6 and cut one outside off Jadeja, it didn't take long for the fifth wicket to fall. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal was simply outstanding at short third man, moving to his right and taking a diving catch to prolong the West Indies' predicament.
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