In Short
- India beat West Indies by an innings and 141 runs
- Ashwin picked his 8th ten-wicket haul
- Jaiswal was the top scorer for India with 171
By Alan Jose John India thrashed West Indies by an innings and 141 runs on the back of R Ashwin’s 12-wicket haul and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 171 as Rohit Sharma and his men started the new WTC cycle on the right note with a big win.
Reeling from their WTC 2023 final defeat to Australia last month, India were out to make a statement in Dominica and that is what they achieved throughout the three days of the match as the hosts crumbled on Friday.
India decided to declare their innings at 421 for five and took an important 271-run lead and decided to put West Indies into bat again.
The hosts had a slow start as openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and captain Kraigg Braithwaite struggled to get grips with the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Jadeja would then get the breakthrough for India as he trapped Chaderpaul in front of the stumps with just eight on the board.
The decision was reviewed by the West Indies opener but the third umpire decided to stay with the on-field decision.
Ashwin, who picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, would then open his account for the second one as he dismissed Braithwaite, courtesy of a sharp catch by Rahane. The spin duo would then deliver a double-strike with the score at 32 with Jermaine Blackwood and Raymon Reifer being sent back to the pavilion.
Alick Athanaze and Joshua da Silva would then build a partnership as West Indies looked to limit the damage. But Siraj came in to break the stand, as he dismissed Da Silva. Athanaze’s stay at the crease was ended by Ashwin, who claimed his third wicket of the innings with the score at 78/6.
Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder would then decide to take on the bowling with some big shots as West Indies went past to the 100-run mark. But Joseph fell into the trap laid out by Ashwin as he went for one big shot too many and perished with India needing just three wickets to win the match.
The off-spinner then claimed his 8th 10-wicket haul to equal Anil Kumble’s tally with the wicket of Rakheem Cornwall. Kemar Roach also didn’t last too long as Ashwin cleaned him up in the same over.
West Indies vs India 1st Test, day 3Highlights
Jomel Warrican provided some entertainment with some incredible shots, including a reverse sweep off Ashwin. However, the off-spinner would have his revenge as he trapped Warrican in front of the stumps to complete the win for India and start the new WTC cycle on the right note.
On the third day of the first Test against West Indies, India’s batting performance was marked by impressive contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli.
Jaiswal continued his remarkable run as he scored 150 and became the first Indian batter to reach the landmark on debut in an overseas Test. Starting the day on an unbeaten 143, he went on to score a majestic 171, marking a memorable start to his Test career. His innings was characterized by patience and skill, as he faced 387 balls, demonstrating his ability to play long innings.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli added valuable runs to the scoreboard, scoring 76 off 182 balls. However, the Indian star’s overseas century drought continued. This was his 29th Test fifty, and while it was a painstaking innings, it was instrumental in setting up a strong total for India.
Jadeja chipped in with the bat and he remained unbeaten on 37 while Ajinkya Rahane had a poor outing on his return as India’s vice-captain, as he was dismissed for just three runs from 11 balls.
Kraig Prohaska
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Johnnie King