Match Summary
The contest proved to be a one-sided affair from start to finish. After bowling out the West Indies for a mere 162 in their first innings, India declared at 448/5, establishing a massive 286-run lead. The visitors' second innings collapse for 146 runs sealed their fate, with the match concluding on Day 3 with 20 minutes still remaining before the tea break.
Ravindra Jadeja's All-Round Masterclass
Vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the star performer, delivering a match-winning all-round display. Following his unbeaten century (104*) in India's first innings, Jadeja wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming four crucial wickets for 54 runs in the West Indies' second innings. His performance narrowly missed the rare feat of scoring a century and taking five wickets in the same Test match.
"I have been working hard on my batting. We had two months off, no Test cricket or ODIs, I was working on my fitness and skills during that time," Jadeja said after being named Player of the Match.
Bowling Excellence from Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj complemented Jadeja's brilliance with a seven-wicket match haul, finishing with figures of 4/40 in the first innings and 3/31 in the second. This marked a significant milestone for Siraj, who achieved his first wickets in a second innings on home soil. His precise seam bowling and ability to extract movement from the Ahmedabad pitch proved decisive in dismantling the West Indies batting lineup.
"Feeling very happy, we did well with both bat and ball. The wicket was slow in the 2nd innings, it just wasn't coming onto the bat," Siraj reflected after the victory.
Century Trio Powers India's Batting Dominance
India's first innings was built on the foundation of three magnificent centuries. KL Rahul ended his nine-year wait for a Test century at home with a composed 100. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel notched his maiden Test century with an impressive 125. Jadeja's unbeaten 104 provided the finishing touches to India's commanding total of 448/5 declared.
West Indies' Struggles Across Both Innings
The West Indies batting lineup failed to show any resistance throughout the match. In their second innings, only Alick Athanaze (38) and Justin Greaves (25) offered brief resistance. The collapse was swift and comprehensive, with the team losing their first five wickets for just 46 runs. The lack of fighting spirit was evident as even tail-ender Jayden Seales (22) outperformed most of the established batsmen.
Tactical Brilliance and Perfect Execution
India's declaration at the start of Day 3 proved to be a masterstroke, allowing them to exploit the morning conditions. Kuldeep Yadav provided valuable support with two wickets, while Washington Sundar chipped in with crucial contributions. The fielding was exceptional, highlighted by Nitish Reddy's spectacular diving catch to dismiss Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
Captain Shubman Gill praised the team's comprehensive performance: "Honestly, I think this was the perfect game for us. Three centuries, and we fielded really well so no complaints".
Series Implications and Looking Ahead
This dominant victory provides crucial momentum for India following their recent 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home. The comprehensive nature of the win demonstrates India's depth in both batting and bowling departments, setting an ominous tone for the remainder of the series.
The second and final Test will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from October 10-14. With India holding an unassailable 1-0 lead, the West Indies will need to drastically improve their performance to avoid a series whitewash and restore some pride in the final encounter.
The match concluded in just over eight sessions, underlining the gulf in class between the two teams and India's return to dominant form in home conditions.
1.jpg)
