In the first Test of the West Indies Tour of India 2025, India delivered a clinical all-round performance to thrash West Indies by an innings and 140 runs.
The match commenced catastrophically for West Indies, which collapsed to 162 in just over 44.1 overs. The Indian bowling attack was unrelenting from the start. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took advantage of early movement with precision, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar effortlessly closed away the tail. Siraj was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 40 runs and shredding the West Indies’ top and middle orders. Bumrah finished with three for 42, while Kuldeep and Sundar grabbed two and one wickets, respectively. Dhruv Jurel was superb behind the stumps, taking four catches.
Only Shai Hope (26) and Justin Greaves (32) put up any fight for West Indies. The tone for the rest of the match was established by their top-order collapse, which included poor scores from King and Athanaze and a duck for Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
India replied with a dominant batting effort, scoring 448 runs before declaring with five wickets down. Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) got things started, but the middle order dominated. Veteran KL Rahul (100) scored a calm and classy century, while Dhruv Jurel continued his development as a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman with a stunning 125 off 210, displaying poise and planned stroke play. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja‘s (104*) century added to West Indies’ woes, while he creating an important partnership with Sundar (91)*, who almost missed out on a first century. Their unbeaten seventh wicket partnership dashed any aspirations for a West Indies revival.
Windies bowlers lacked penetration. Roston Chase grabbed two wickets, with Warrican, Pierre, and Seales taking one each. However, none of the bowlers appeared to be dangerous for lengthy periods of time, as India controlled both the pace and spin departments.
Following a 286-run deficit, West Indies stumbled again, scoring only 146 in the second innings. Alick Athanaze (38) was the lone bright spot, while the rest of the lineup failed to support him. No other batter reached around 30-run mark, and five players were removed for single digits. The wickets continued to fall, and India secured victory before tea on Day 3.
Jadeja led India’s spin attack with four wickets, including vital dismissals of John Campbell, Brandon King, and Shai Hope. His control and variety were too much for the Windies batters. Siraj maintained his excellent form, taking three more wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav added two more to his total. Sundar also took an important wicket, closing off a superb display with the bat and ball.
With this win, India secured series lead by 1-0.
Scorecard:
West Indies: 162/10, Overs 44.1, Justin Greaves 32, Mohammed Siraj 4/40
India: 448/5d, Overs 128, Dhruv Jurel 125, Roston Chase 2/90
West Indies: 146/10, Overs 45.1, Alick Athanaze 38, Ravindra Jadeja 4/54
