Ahmedabad, October 4: Ravindra Jadeja reaffirmed his stature as one of modern cricket’s most complete all-rounders as India dismantled West Indies by an innings and 140 runs within three days in the opening Test of the home season. Combining a fluent unbeaten 104 with a decisive spell of 4 for 54, Jadeja orchestrated an emphatic victory that underscored India’s dominance on home soil.
Continuity amidst transition
This triumph comes just a year after India’s near-decade-long unbeaten home series record had been broken. The side, now without stalwarts Virat Kohli, R. Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara, still found its anchor in the 36-year-old Jadeja a figure who has quietly bridged eras. From the Chennai Test of 2013, which began India’s golden home run, to the present match in Ahmedabad, Jadeja’s presence has been a constant thread in India’s Test narrative.
Day One: Pacers set the tone
Opting to bat first, West Indies crumbled for 162, undone by the precision of Mohammed Siraj (4/40) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/42). The pair extracted just enough movement to expose technical flaws in a fragile visiting lineup. Only Greaves (32) showed fleeting resistance as India seized early control.
Day Two: A day for the batsmen
India’s reply was commanding. Dhruv Jurel, on debut, compiled a mature 125, marked by patience and impeccable shot selection. KL Rahul rediscovered fluency with a composed 100, while Jadeja’s 104 not out added the final polish to a total of 448 for 5 declared, giving India a lead of 286.
Day Three: Jadeja seals it
Enforced to follow on, West Indies produced another meek performance. Alick Athanaze (38) alone offered defiance, his reverse sweeps and decisive footwork briefly troubling the bowlers. But India’s relentless attack Jadeja’s guile, Siraj’s persistence (3/31), and Bumrah’s hostility wrapped up the innings for 146, sealing the contest well before tea.
Athanaze’s dismissal, closing the face to an off-break that turned and bounced, symbolised the visitors’ vulnerability. Attempts by lower-order batters to counterattack, including Jomel Warrican’s miscued slog that sent his bat flying, captured the disarray of a side still rebuilding its batting core.
The Jadeja statement
Often perceived as a bowler who relies purely on pace and accuracy, Jadeja demonstrated subtle craft. He manipulated flight and angles to outthink batters, notably deceiving Brandon King, who lunged forward once too often and perished at slip. For Siraj, this match marked his first five-wicket haul across both innings at home, a milestone that underlined his evolution from a strike bowler into a leader of the pace unit.
Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 162 | 146 | Lost by an innings and 140 runs |
| India | 448/5 declared | — | — |
Top Performers: Ravindra Jadeja (104*, 4/54), Dhruv Jurel (125), KL Rahul (100), Mohammed Siraj (4/40 & 3/31)
With this emphatic win, India lead the two-match series 1–0 and begin their new home cycle with renewed confidence and continuity amid change.
