Ravichandran Ashwin led India in a brilliant display of skill and dominance as they cruised to a 141-run win over the West Indies in the first Test in Dominica.
Ashwin’s incredible seven-wicket haul in the second innings demonstrated his unwavering control over a weak West Indies team. The victory not only marked India’s biggest margin of victory in a Test match in the West Indies, but also extended their unbeaten streak against a Caribbean team to two decades.
After India declared their first innings at 421 for five, West Indies were expected to put up a better batting performance. However, they fell short of Ashwin’s relentless bowling attack, being reduced to just 130 runs in just 50 overs. Ashwin’s extraordinary figures of seven for 71 in 21.3 overs, his best performance in overseas Tests, demonstrated his unrivaled ability with the ball.
The match was further highlighted by the brilliant debut of Yashvi Jaiswal, who scored a brilliant 171 runs. His extraordinary innings spanned over eight hours and was instrumental in establishing India’s commanding position. Jaiswal’s efforts earned him the Man of the Match award.
Reflecting on his grand debut, Jaiswal expressed his emotions, saying, “This experience has been a special moment. When I was young, I used to think about playing for my country. It is an emotional moment for me. But this is just the beginning.”
In contrast, West Indies captain Craig Brathwaite acknowledged his team’s disappointment, saying, “I didn’t think it turned too quickly; we just let ourselves down with the bat, the senior guys, our Starting with you, you have to lead the way. We have to use the bat more than our pads.”
The victory sets India up for the second and final Test in Port of Spain, Trinidad, starting on July 20. With an unblemished record against the West Indies since 2002, India will aim to maintain their dominance in the World Test Championship and pick up crucial points.
Ashwin’s success, coupled with Ravindra Jadeja’s continued support, put relentless pressure on the home side. The West Indies batsmen struggled to cope with the quality spin bowling on a supportive pitch, which ultimately led to their defeat.
As the match drew to a close, Ashwin duly dismissed Jomal Warikin to end the game. His match figures of 12 for 131 in that Test further cemented his reputation as one of the best spin bowlers in the world.
