India produced a dominant performance to outclass West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test Saturday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Resuming day three on their overnight total of 448/5, India chose to declare their innings without adding a single run. And Indian bowlers responded with ruthless efficiency, skittling out the West Indies for just 146 in their second innings to complete a crushing win. Mohammed Siraj (3/31) set the tone early with his fiery spell, removing key top-order batsmen. Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with his trademark consistency, finishing with 4 for 54. Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar also chipped in with 2 and 1 wickets, respectively.
Notably, the foundation of India’s victory was laid by a commanding batting performance in the first innings, where centuries from KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja put the hosts in firm control. Opener KL Rahul (100) ended his nine-year-long century drought at home, and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (125) slammed his maiden Test hundred.
West Indies, having managed only 162 in their first innings, were already on the back foot. India’s first-innings lead of 286 runs gave them a massive cushion, and the bowlers ensured that the advantage was converted into a dominant win. Alick Athanaze (38) was the top scorer for the visitors, followed by Justin Greaves, who also scored (25), but it wasn't enough to help West Indies challenge India.