India registered a comprehensive victory over West Indies by an innings and 141 runs in the first Test at Windsor Park, thanks to an outstanding performance by R Ashwin. The match saw debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal shine with a brilliant knock of 171. It enabled India to declare their innings with a commanding lead of 271 runs. Ashwin played a pivotal role in India's victory by picking up 12 wickets in the match.
After India's declaration, Ashwin wreaked havoc on the West Indies batting lineup, taking seven wickets for 71 runs. The pitch provided ample turn and bounce for the spinners. Ashwin capitalized on this opportunity to dismantle the West Indies top order.
He dismissed right-handers, Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood, while his partner Ravindra Jadeja accounted for left-handers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Raymon Reifer. Despite a dropped catch by Ishan Kishan off Jadeja's bowling, West Indies were reduced to 32 for 4.
Although West Indies' Joshua Da Silva and Akeal Athanaze managed to stabilize the innings and take the score past 50, their partnership was short-lived. Mohammed Siraj trapped Da Silva lbw, and Athanaze, dropped on one by Jaiswal off Ashwin, was caught at short leg by Jaiswal himself. Alzarri Joseph, who came in ahead of Rahkeem Cornwall, tried to attack but ended up holing out to deep midwicket.
Ashwin dominated the West Indies batsmen, switching to over the wicket to claim his fifth wicket by having Cornwall caught at short leg. Kemar Roach didn't last long, and Jomel Warrican put up a brief fight before being dismissed lbw by Ashwin. Jason Holder showed some resistance but lacked support from the other end.
In the morning session, Jaiswal and Virat Kohli resumed India's innings with a strong position at 312 for 2. West Indies faced extra challenges as Alzarri Joseph couldn't open the bowling due to his absence from the field for 28 minutes the previous evening. Rahkeem Cornwall was restricted from bowling for two hours due to a chest infection.
Jaiswal displayed confidence on a slowing pitch, driving the ball against the seamers. He reached his day's first boundary with an elegant on-drive off Jason Holder. Jaiswal became the third Indian to score 150 or more on Test debut, joining Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma.
After soe brief aggressive batting, Joseph returned to the bowling attack and dismissed Jaiswal. Ajinkya Rahane fell early, chipping a delivery from Kemar Roach to cover. Kohli, , faced a few challenges but continued to grind for his runs. He reached his half-century off 147 balls, eventually getting dismissed for 76 when he flicked Cornwall to leg slip.
Ishan Kishan, like Jaiswal, took time to get off the mark, finally scoring a run on the 20th ball he faced. Shortly after, Rohit Sharma declared the innings, setting West Indies a daunting target.
Overall, R Ashwin's performance with 12 wickets was exceptional. Combined with strong contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and the Indian bowling attack, led to India's comprehensive victory over West Indies in the first Test at Windsor Park.
Scorecard
India 1st Innings: 421/5 declared (Yashasvi Jaiswal 171, Vir2at Kohli 76).
West Indies 1st Innings: 150 all out (Athanaze 47, Ashwin 5/60).
West Indies 2nd Innings: 130 all out (Athanaze 28, Ashwin 7/71).
India win by an innings and 141 runs.