As the hosts thrashed the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in three days to take a 1-0 lead in the first Test, vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja, India’s most valued player in red ball cricket, showcased his all-around skills by capping his undefeated hundred with a four-wicket haul.
After India declared at their overnight score of 448 for 5, West Indies, already trailing by 286 runs, crumbled further in their second innings, dismissed for just 146 in 45.1 overs. Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 54.
From October 10–14, the second Test will take place in New Delhi.
“Honestly, I think this was the perfect game for us. Three centuries, and we fielded really well so no complaints,” skipper Shubman Gill said at post-match presentation ceremony.
On a track that played differently on all three days, India outperformed the struggling West Indies in every aspect, with the match and series strongly skewed in favor of the formidable hosts.
Mohammed Siraj (4/40 and 3/31) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/42) took advantage of the lively track that helped pacers on Day One, but on Day Two, the pitch gave bowlers a little help as batters celebrated.
India made sure there was no alteration to the plan for the massive victory in the first of their four home Test matches this season by the conclusion of it, having accumulated a lead large enough to force an innings defeat on the distressed visitors.
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 announced their overnight total on Day 3 in the hopes of gaining some help early in the morning, but the Indian spinners under Jadeja took advantage of the surface’s grip and rough areas to run amok.
The West Indies were reduced to 66/5 at lunchtime as Jadeja (4/54) followed up his undefeated century with a three-wicket burst, while Nitish Reddy’s athleticism gave Siraj the first wicket among pacers.
With his century and four-for in the second innings, Jadeja actually came very close to achieving his two previous Test-match ton-hitting and five-for feats.
Washington Sundar (1/18) caught-and-bowled the final recognized hitter, Alick Athanaze, who batted solidly for his 38, shortly after Siraj’s two-wicket over after lunch dismissed Justin Greaves (25) and Jomel Warrican (0).
Shortly after drinks in the second session, Jayden Seales (22) delivered some hefty shots, but Kuldeep Yadav (2/23) took a brilliant return catch to end the game.
As he ripped through the West Indies top-order, Jadeja was threatening on a surface that offered turns. Kuldeep Yadav (1/15) and Siraj (1/16) both contributed, but the left-arm spinner caused havoc in that weak batting order that collapsed like a deck of cards once more.
India’s declaration started it all, hastening the inevitable as, considering the condition of the West Indies team, only one outcome was feasible. And, the floodgates opened quickly.
Although openers John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (8) got off to a good start, the first breakthrough in the eighth over came from Nitish Reddy’s brilliant play at square leg. Reddy threw himself to his left and was parallel to the ground when he took the catch and landed back with the ball firmly in his hands, leaving Chanderpaul stunned after he had drawn one short ball from Siraj.
India quickly added spin, and vice-captain Jadeja was ecstatic when Campbell (14) hit a straight ball to short leg in a meek Test opener’s batting effort.
When Brandon King (5), the No. 4 for the West Indies, stretched his bat out to poke at one that was spinning away from him, Jadeja got his second. However, KL Rahul caught him at the first slip with a nice, low catch.
Kuldeep’s genius was too great for West Indies captain Roston Chase (1), who put him to the test with a variety of variations before tricking him with a shorter one that 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.
