RAJKOT, India, Oct 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Spinner Kuldeep Yadav starred in
India’s biggest-ever Test triumph as they thrashed the West Indies by an
innings and 272 runs inside three days in the opening match on Saturday.
The tourists were dismissed for 196 early in the final session while
following on, to trail the two-match series 1-0. They were bowled out for 181
in their first innings in response to India’s 649-9 declared.
Kuldeep returned figures of 5-57 with his left-arm wrist spin, his first
five-for in just his fourth Test since making his debut against Australia
last year.
Ravindra Jadeja, who scored his maiden international century during India’s
only innings, took the final wicket of Shannon Gabriel for four as the hosts
celebrated an utterly dominant win over the former cricketing powerhouse.
The world’s top Test side surpassed their previous biggest win against
Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs during the minnows’ debut five-day
game in June. The match started with teenage opener Prithvi Shaw making 134
on day one to become the youngest Indian to score a century on debut, at 18
years of age.
Shaw, who is already being compared to Sachin Tendulkar, was adjudged the
man of the match for his 154-ball stay laced with 19 fours.
Skipper Virat Kohli, who also scored a landmark century in India’s only
innings, was happy with the team’s “clinical” showing and praised Shaw for
his quality batting.
“Playing his first game, seeing him dominate — the guy showed he is
different quality. That’s why he’s been pushed to the Test team,” Kohli said
after the win.
“Jaddu (Jadeja) as well — he has got important runs for us before and we
wanted him to get three figures. We believe he can turn matches for us,” said
Kohli.
– ‘How to bat’ –
Kuldeep led an inspired spin attack with Jadeja claiming three wickets and
Ravichandran Ashwin taking two.
Opener Kieran Powell fought a lonely battle to score 83 runs before
becoming Kuldeep’s fifth victim in another disappointing batting show by the
Caribbean side.
Ashwin, who returned figures of 4-37 in West Indies’ first innings, had
sent back stand-in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite for 10 before lunch and then got
Devendra Bishoo at the stroke of tea.
The 23-year-old Kuldeep then rattled the West Indies’ top and middle order
including big wickets of Powell, Sunil Ambris for nought and Roston Chase,
who had top-scored for West Indies in the first innings with his gritty 53.
The match will also be remembered for Kohli’s 139 during which the world’s
top batsman became the quickest to reach 24 Test centuries after the great
Donald Bradman.
Kohli got to his hundred in his 123rd innings with a boundary off leg-
spinner Bishoo. Bradman took just 66 innings to achieve the same feat.
“Not the best of starts, credit to India. They showed us how to bat,” a
disappointed Brathwaite said after the loss.
“Didn’t get enough partnerships as a batting unit. Two or three
partnerships would hold us very well,” added Brathwaite, who stood in as
captain after Jason Holder was ruled out on the morning of the match due to
an ankle injury.
Brathwaite said he was not sure if Holder will be fit for the next game.
The second match is scheduled in Hyderabad starting October 12.