India on Sunday defeated the host on the 4th day itself of the 1st test match. It was India’s biggest win outside Asia and Virat Kohli’s first win as a captain outside the continent.
India beat West Indies by an innings and 92 runs in the 1st test match. It was just perfect test match for India and Anil Kumble. If ever you had to make a statement in your very first game, then this would definitely be it. Fast bowlers taking wickets, Spin duo bowling well in tandem, Out of form opener scoring a fighting fifty, Captain leading from the front by scoring his first double ton in test matches, Fielding holding onto tough chances and one of your allrounder scoring a hundred and taking a fifer respectively. It cannot get any better.
It all started with Virat kohli scoring a double hundred and Ashwin scoring a hundred. India posted a mammoth in their 1st innings and after that it was always going to be tough for West Indies to fightback and that’s what turned out. West Indies played a catch up game all through out the game. At the pitch where their was no assistance for bowlers Indian pacers bowled with aggression and intend. Returning from injury Shami bowled brilliantly.
Shami used the short ball to good effect. Both Shami and Yadav picked 4 wickets respectively in the 1st innings, and West Indies were bundled out for a mere 243, giving India the lead of 323.A� Kraigg Brathwaite was the only top order who batted well and challenged Indian bowlers. After the top and middle order collapsed it was upto lower order batsman to help reach the team to a respectable total. Shane Dowrich and Jason holder showed some grit at the end and Dowrich notched up a well deserved fifty.
India enforced the follow on and West India was asked to bat once again. Ishant Sharma gave India a perfect start by picking Kraigg Brathwaite for just 2. And West Indies ended day 3 on 21-1. Day 4 started with Rahane taking a stunner to dismiss Darren bravo, West Indies best batsman.
After that Samuels and Rajendra Chandrika played positively and added 67 for the fourth wicket. But it was just the matter of time when the world’s number 2 bowler unleashed on the West Indies. Ashwin picked up Samuels, Rajendra, Blackhood, Chase, HolderA� in quick succession leaving West Indies struggling at 132-8. Carlos Brathwaite and Bishoo showed some fight and added 95 runs for the eight wicket. Bishoo was dismissed for 45 by Ashwin and after that he picked Gabriel 3 balls later. Ending with outstanding figures of 83-7 and India completed a one sided victory over the West Indies. Ashwin was declared Man Of The Match for his all round perfomance.
It will be interesting to see how West Indies comeback in the 2nd test match or India continue to steamroll the host in the 2nd test as well. And for Anil Kumble and Team India it is certainly the beginning of new era.
