India’s fast bowling pair of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah tore through the West Indies’ batting to take the lead on the opening day of the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Siraj dismantled the West Indies’ top order in a four-wicket haul, while Bumrah cleaned up the tail as the visitors were all out for an insufficient 162 runs in 44.1 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
In reply, opener KL Rahul scored an unbeaten half-century to take India to 121 for two at the close of play, just 41 runs behind the Windies’ total with eight wickets.
Resuming the day on 121 for two with Rahul (53) and Gill (18), the pair dominated in the morning session during a 98-run partnership.
Dhruv Jurel scored an impressive 125, Ravendra Jadeja finished unbeaten on 104, and KL Rahul stroked an even 100, as the home side scored a massive 448 for five at the close of play on the second day, giving them a first innings lead of 286 runs.
On the third day, Jadeja followed up his unbeaten century with a four-wicket haul as West Indies’ batting crumbled again to give India a dominant victory by an innings and 140 runs inside three days in the opening Test.
Jadeja, named player-of-the-match, returned to take out the top order with his left-arm spin, helped bowl out the West Indies for 146 before tea, and gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
With another disappointing batting performance, the Windies lost their fourth consecutive Test match in three days.
The second Test match bowls off in Delhi on Oct. 10.
