India Thrash West Indies by an Innings and 140 Runs in Dominant Test Display
In a commanding performance that set the tone for their home season, India crushed West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the opening Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Shubman Gill’s side showcased clinical batting depth with three centuries, followed by ruthless spin bowling to wrap up the match inside three days. Ravindra Jadeja starred with a century and a four-wicket haul, while KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel also notched hundreds to pile on the misery for the visitors. This emphatic win gave India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and highlighted their continued dominance at home, where West Indies have struggled historically. A sparse but vocal crowd witnessed the one-sided affair under clear skies, with the venue’s large capacity feeling underutilized for such a historic rout.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, bathed in bright October sunshine with no dew interference, produced a low-scorer for the tourists but a run-fest for the hosts with over 900 runs in the match despite the early finish. The pitch — initially flat and batsman-friendly — favored batting early on, but sharp turn and variable bounce made the defense increasingly tough for West Indies. Shubman Gill’s decision to bat first after winning the toss was vindicated spectacularly, exploiting the true surface before it deteriorated. For West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, the defeat was demoralizing, a combination of poor shot selection and inability to handle spin; for Gill, it was exhilarating, a perfect team effort to kickstart the campaign. As Jadeja sealed the final wicket amid cheers from the Indian dressing room, the series narrative shifted firmly in India’s favor, with West Indies facing an uphill battle in the second Test.
India XI Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
West Indies XI Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Kirk McKenzie, Kavem Hodge, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph
West Indies – 162 (48.3 overs) & 146 (40.2 overs) West Indies’ first innings crumbled under relentless Indian bowling after Gill opted to bat. Early wickets fell to Bumrah and Siraj’s pace, with Campbell (8) and Athanaze (14) unable to build. Roston Chase top-scored with a gritty 42, but Jadeja (4/54) and Kuldeep exploited the rough to trigger a collapse from 98/4 to 162 all out. Extras were minimal at 12, with no major partnerships surviving the spin barrage. In the follow-on, the story repeated: Athanaze resisted with 38, but Jadeja added another three wickets while Kuldeep and Washington Sundar shared the rest. The second innings lasted just 40.2 overs, with Seales’ late cameo (18) providing fleeting resistance before Kuldeep’s caught-and-bowled sealed the innings defeat. West Indies’ batting woes were evident, managing only 308 runs across both innings against a disciplined attack. Jadeja’s all-round brilliance (104* in India’s innings plus 7 wickets total) turned the game decisively.
India – 448/5d (98.4 overs) India’s reply was a masterclass in accumulation. Openers Jaiswal and Gill provided solid starts but fell short of big scores. Rahul anchored with a fluent 112, sharing key stands with Kohli (45) before Jurel (108) and Jadeja (104*) added a blistering 150+ for the sixth wicket. The pair countered turn expertly, with Jurel’s aggression and Jadeja’s classical strokeplay dominating. Washington Sundar contributed a quick 35* as Gill declared with a massive lead. West Indies’ bowlers toiled without reward, Roach and Joseph picking up sporadic wickets but leaking runs on a flattening track. No major collapse occurred; momentum built steadily through partnerships and milestones, including multiple centuries that underscored India’s batting depth. The declaration came at tea on day two, setting up the bowling dominance that followed.
Key Moments
- Jadeja’s unbeaten 104 and 7 wickets in the match, a rare all-round masterclass to lead India’s charge.
- KL Rahul’s 112, continuing his rich vein of form post-England tour and stabilizing the innings.
- West Indies’ first-innings collapse from 98/4 to 162, triggered by Jadeja’s spin wizardry.
- Dhruv Jurel’s maiden Test century (108), forming a match-defining 150+ stand with Jadeja.
- Kuldeep’s final caught-and-bowled to dismiss Seales, wrapping up the innings victory inside three days.
Player of the Match: Ravindra Jadeja (104* & 7/92) Winning Captain (Shubman Gill): “This was the perfect game for us. Three centuries, excellent fielding, and the bowlers executed brilliantly. Losing the first six tosses of the year didn’t matter as long as we keep winning like this. The team took responsibility, and we’re looking forward to Delhi.” Losing Captain (Kraigg Brathwaite): “We didn’t bat well enough in either innings. Credit to India—they bowled superbly on a turning track. We need to show more fight in the next Test; this is a learning curve for the young group.”
Series: India lead 1–0 Next → India vs West Indies, 2nd Test: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi — October 10–14, 2025 (9:30 AM IST)
India’s ruthless display reinforced their fortress-like home record, leaving West Indies with plenty to ponder ahead of the series finale. With spin options firing and batting depth on show, the hosts enter the next clash as overwhelming favorites, while the visitors search for answers to their ongoing subcontinental struggles. This win not only boosted confidence but also sent a strong message in the World Test Championship race.
