It was never about a West Indies win but some good fightback. But, it never happened. West Indies succumbed to Indian bowling without any fight. India won the Test match by an innings and 272 runs. This is their biggest win in terms of runs. This also brought up India’s 100 Test win at home. They started today on a score of 94/6 . It was all about the West Indies resistance.
Kuldeep Yadav started things for India today. West Indies players made their intentions clear in the first over of the day. They were out there to play the way they knew the best. Keemo Paul hit Kuldeep for 2 boundaries in the first over. He along with Roston Chase showed positive intent. They were literally smashing the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground.
MUST READ – 2019 World Cup Schedule
However, just when it started to look threatening, Umesh Yadav got rid of Keemo Paul in the 39th over. Roston Chase carried on with his onslaught and brought up his 6th Test fifty in the 40th over. However, reckless attacking never wins you Test matches. Ashwin came in and wiped off the tail in the 48th over with West Indies managing only 181. India got a healthy 468 runs lead and enforced the follow on.
West Indies
Soon after, West Indies openers Kraigg Braithwaite and K Powell were at the crease determined to better their 1st innings performance. They started off relatively well and were scoring off the bad balls quite at will. However, it did not last long as Ashwin dismissed Braithwaite just an over before lunch. They went into lunch on a score of 33/1. They had a mountain to climb and with the ball spinning like the way it was, it was meant to be some task.
Ashwin was introduced straight after lunch and he was welcomed by K Powell with a massive six over the deep mid-wicket fence in the 3rd ball of the 10th over. Powell hit a few boundaries and built up a good partnership in the middle with Shai Hope.
However, Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Hope in the 19th over. Powell brought up his 6th Test fifty in the 21st over but kept losing partners. He dealt with the spinners really well. After a long struggle, he got out in the 36th over scoring a well fought 83. The tail enders played some attacking cricket but it was only a matter of time before they were bundled out. Local hero Jadeja picked up 2 quick wickets after tea to wrap things up handing India its biggest win by an innings and 272 runs.
READ MORE – ICC Under-19 World Cup Schedule
Kuldeep picked up a 5-fer and is now the only Indian bowler after Bhuvneshwar Kumar to take a 5-fer in all 3 formats. It was a dream debut for Shaw and he was duly rewarded with the Man of the Match award. West Indies never looked like they were in the game and it will be interesting to see how they regroup and come back in the next match.