West Indies v India, 1st Test: Memorable moments of the match

India kick started their Caribbean sojourn with a win after they packed the hosts inside four days to in the first Test of the four-match series by an innings and 92 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin, just like he has been in recent matches, was the chief architect of the win. The off-spinner who went wicketless in the first innings snapped a 7-wicket haul on the day four wicket and helped India wrap up the game at the earliest.

The West Indies batsmen didn’t do anything extraordinary. After getting bundled out for 243 in the first innings, they inflicted a 323-run deficit on them. India decided to make the hosts follow-on (for the first time since 2006). First innings savior Kraigg Brathwaite failed in the second innings and departed for a single digit score.

Rajendra Chandrika, Marlon Samuels at the top tested the Indian bowlers a bit but soon the Ashwin magic began and wickets started falling in a hurry before Carlos Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo frustrated the Indians for over 22 overs. Their resistance dragged the match till the last session of the day but eventually Ashwin polished off the tail to get things sorted out.

1. Virat Kohli’s double ton:

The match began with India skipper Virat Kohli hitting his first Test double century. Kohli carried forward his amazing limited-overs form into the purest form of cricket and helped India reach a commanding position in the game straight away.

Coming in to bat after the departures of Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara, Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan upped the run rate with some attacking show of cricket. Kohli later combined with Ravi Ashwin and took India forward towards a big score.

He reached his century on day one and completed his double on the following day after resuming on 143. Unfortunately, he got out just after completing his double century. The wonderful knock lasted 283 balls and included 24 fours.

Also read – West Indies v India 1st Test, Day 4 – Statistical Highlights