India extended their unbeaten streak against the West Indies to 25 Tests with a commanding innings and 140-run victory in the opening match of the two-Test series at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. The result, sealed before tea on the third day, gave Shubman Gill a perfect start to his home Test captaincy.
Vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja starred with 4 for 54, complementing a collective bowling effort that decimated a brittle West Indies batting line-up, which folded for just 146 in their second innings.
‘Perfect Game for Us’: Gill on Dominant Display
India’s performance was complete — three centurions, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding.
Honestly, I think this was a perfect game for us. Three centurions in the game, and I think we fielded really well in both innings, we don’t really have any complaints.
Reflecting on India’s batting, he added, “It was a pretty good wicket to bat on. We both (Jaiswal and I) got starts but couldn’t convert; there were plenty of other batsmen who did, so happy for them.”
When you’ve got quality spinners like them, it’s difficult to rotate, but it’s good to have too many options rather than not enough. That’s the fun of playing in India — someone always steps up for the team.
Jadeja, Rahul, Jurel power India to massive first innings
India, who had skittled the visitors for 162 on day one, declared their first innings on the overnight score of 448/5, with a 286-run lead proving insurmountable.
Dhruv Jurel’s maiden 125, K.L. Rahul’s composed 100, and Jadeja’s unbeaten 104 laid the foundation for India’s dominance. The all-rounder later capped his match with a four-wicket haul to round off a memorable performance.
I have been working hard with my batting. I had been at number 8 and 9 a few years ago, but now at 6 I can pace my innings better. I worked at the Centre of Excellence in Bangalore on both fitness and skills. The extra time in the middle helps me build my innings.
West Indies collapse again Aafter Poor Start
The West Indies were never in the contest. Reduced to 46/5, their only resistance came through Alick Athanaze (38) and Justin Greaves (25), who added 46 runs before Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar ran through the rest.
Siraj’s early spell set the tone, dismissing Tagenarine Chanderpaul with a sharp bouncer, followed by Nitish Kumar Reddy’s athletic diving catch that drew applause from the crowd.
Jadeja’s variations proved decisive — removing John Campbell with drift and bounce, then trapping Brandon King with a slower, flighted delivery. Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two wickets, including a beauty to bowl Roston Chase through the gate.
‘We have to bat better’: Chase admits failure
A disappointed West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted his side’s poor batting cost them the game. “When you win the toss and bat and get bowled out for 162, it’s tough to come back from that. We have to bat better, especially in India. You need a big first-innings total when the pitch deteriorates later,” he said.
Their batters lasted just 89.2 overs across both innings, exposing the gulf in skill and temperament between the two sides.
India’s Clinical Finish
The final session was a formality. After Athanaze’s brief resistance ended with a sharp return catch by Sundar, Siraj trapped Greaves lbw before Jadeja and Kuldeep wrapped up the tail.
The West Indies’ lower order swung aimlessly, with Johann Layne holing out to deep mid-off and Jayden Seales offering a simple return catch to seal India’s emphatic win inside three days. India now head to New Delhi for the second and final Test, starting October 10, with a chance to sweep the series and strengthen their position in the World Test Championship standings.
Brief Scores: West Indies: 162 & 146 all out in 45.1 overs (Athanaze 38, Greaves 25; Jadeja 4-54, Siraj 3-31)India: 448/5 dec in 128 overs (Rahul 100, Jurel 125, Jadeja 104*; Chase 2-90, Seales 1-53) Result: India won by an innings and 140 runs
