India vs Windies: 1st Test- Who Said What

It only took India over eight sessions to win the first Test against the Windies at SCA Stadium in Rajkot by an innings and 272 runs, which also turned out to be their biggest victory (by innings) in Test cricket. India needed only 98.5 overs to pick up the 2 Windies’ wickets. The second Test commences on October 12 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Windies concede massive lead    

India didn’t have a good start as fast bowler Shannon Gabriel got rid of KL Rahul in the very first over. However, the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja notched centuries to put the home team in a commanding position. Rishabh Pant also scored a quick-fire 92 to help India put 649 on the board. Devendra Bishoo was Windies’ standout bowler with four wickets.

The visiting team lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 181 runs and thereby conceding a humungous lead of 468 runs. Roston Chase and Keemo Paul notched 53 and 47 runs to give their fans something to cheer. From India’s perspective, Ravichandran Ashwin nipped out four wickets while Mohammad Shami got rid of the opening batsmen.

India demolish their rivals

Quite expectantly, the Windies were made to follow on, a decision which didn’t furrow eyebrows. Their batsmen came out with a positive intent. Nevertheless, chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav nipped out five wickets to break the backbone of the Windies batting. The youngster picked up his first wicket in the form of Shai Hope and the dismissal broke a 47-run stand between Kieran Powell and Hope.

Powell, who seemed to have got the measure of the Indian bowling with a knock of 83 runs, fell prey to Kuldeep. Going into the Tea break, the hosts needed a couple of wickets to complete the triumph. Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Sherman Lewis and Shannon Gabriel to end the match. Going into the next Test, while India would be brimming with confidence, the Windies need to get back to the drawing boards.

Kraigg Brathwaite, the Windies captain, said

Not the best of starts, credit to India. They showed us how to bat. Quite disappointed. Didn’t get enough partnerships as a batting unit. Two or three partnerships would hold us very well. One thing we said in our meeting was to be as positive as possible. Not sure if Holder will be fit for the next game.

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, said

Don’t think you can compare the two conditions. That was a bigger challenge, something we don’t experience day in and day out. Knew when we come back home and the kind of quality we have, we will dominate in these conditions. Guys understand how to play in these conditions and they were clinical. That’s not something for me to speak upon (surprised with Windies performance). I’m sure, as a team, they’d want to rectify their errors. We want to improve upon the things we need to do, not focus on what the opposition want to do. Happy that the guys put in a clinical performance. Especially delighted for Prithvi and Jaddu. The way Prithvi dominated on debut was outstanding to see. Easy conditions or not, you still have to go out there and back yourself to dominate.

The guy showed he’s different quality, which is why he’s pushed into the Indian team so quickly. He just grabs his opportunity with both hands. Exciting to see from a captain’s point of view. Jaddu as well, he’s scored important runs for us in the past. We believe he can change games for us and have match winning contributions with both bat and ball, he’s electrifying in the field anyway. Pretty good. If you see the first innings, the way Shami and Umesh ran in to bowl was really good to see on a pitch that’s not giving you much. Shami came in and bowled the way only he can. Spinners are clinical in these conditions anyway. Kuldeep outstanding in the second innings, Ashwin in the first, Jaddu was consistent as always. Over rates had to do a bit with the umpires who were pushing us, not allowing us to drink water. Spinners bowl so much in India, we’re never going to fall short of the overs anyway.

Prithvi Shaw, the Man of the Match, said

It was a great win for the team, more happy for the team. Can’t imagine my debut like this. Whenever you play international cricket, there’s always a challenge. Was looking to play my natural game, like I do in first-class.

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