India registered an empathic 318 run win over West Indies on the 4th day of 1st Test match played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. With this win, the World number 1 ranked side started the World Test championship with 60 points.
Starting the 4th day on 185 for 3, India lost an early wicket of the captain Virat Kohli for the overnight score of 51. Ajiyanka Rahane and Vihari steadied the innings with good stroke play. West Indies captain Jason Holder left the field open allowing both Indian batsmen to take singles easily. Rahane reached his first century in 2 years off 235. He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 102. Rahane and Vihari added 135 runs for the 5th wicket. Vihari also played a great knock scoring 93 runs before Indian captain Virat Kohli decided to declare the innings at 343 for 7. India set West Indies 419 runs to win the Test match.
Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma produced a sensational new ball spell which broke the backbone of West Indies batting line up. Bumrah got the breakthrough dismissing Kraigg Braithwaite, John Campbell. Ishant Sharma dismissed Brooks, Shimron Hetymer cheaply. Before the tea break, Bumrah got the wicket of Darren Bravo to leave West Indies in tatters at 15 for 5.
After the tea break, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a beauty to dismiss Shai Hope for 2. Again, Bumrah struck to dismiss West Indies captain Jason Holder cheaply. Kemar Roach played with freedom and scored a quick fire 38 off 31 balls. Roach and Cummins added 50 runs for the 10th wicket. Ishant Sharma dismissed Roach to bowl out West Indies for 100. India won the match by 318 runs. Bumrah took 5 for 7, Ishant Sharma 3 for 31 and Mohammed Shami 2 wickets ended the rout.
The Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision did not pay off as KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli went cheaply to be reduced to 25 for 3. Ajiyanka Rahane and KL Rahul steadied the Indian innings adding 68 runs for the 4th wicket. Rahane played with solid intent and reached his fifty. Hanuma Vihari and Rahane added 82 runs. India ended the rain curtailed day on 203 for 6.
Jadeja and Ishant Sharma added vital 60 runs for the 8th wicket. Jadeja was the final wicket to fall at the score of 58. India were bowled out for 297 runs in the 1st innings.
After the lunch break, John Campbell and Kraigg Braithwaite got the team off to a flying start adding 36 runs for opening wicket. Roston Chase was the top scorer for West Indies with 48. Ishant Sharma was the pick of bowlers for India with 5 for 42. West Indies ended the 2nd day on 189 for 8.
After the lunch break, John Campbell and Kraigg Braithwaite got the team off to a flying start adding 36 runs for opening wicket. Roston Chase was the top scorer for West Indies with 48. Ishant Sharma was the pick of bowlers for India with 5 for 42. West Indies ended the 2nd day on 189 for 8.
India bowled out West Indies for 222 on the 3rd morning. In their second innings, Mayank Agarwal, Pujara got out cheaply again. Virat Kohli and Rahane batted with solid approach to end day 3 on 185 for 3 with both scoring fifties.
India 297 in 96.4 overs ( Rahane 81, Ravindra Jadeja 58, Kemar Roach 4/66, Shannon Gabriel 3/71) and 343 for 7 in 112.3 overs ( Rahane 102, Kohli 51, Roston Chase 4/132) beat West Indies 222 in 74.2 overs ( Roston Chase 48, Jason Holder 39, Ishant Sharma 5/43) and 100 in 26.5 overs ( Kemar Roach 38, Jasprit Bumrah 5/7, Ishant Sharma 3/31) by 318 runs.
The 2nd Test match will be played from 30th August at Sabina Park, Jamaica.
