(Cricket News) In a truly remarkable turn of events, India made a significant impact in their opening match of the World Test Championship (WTC) against the West Indies on Wednesday. The experienced spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, showcased his exceptional skills, delivering a masterful performance that included capturing his 33rd five-wicket haul. His impressive display led to a batting collapse for the West Indies in the first Test held at Windsor Park.
Ashwin’s brilliance was particularly evident when he dismissed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, thus achieving a historic feat as the first Indian bowler to dismiss both the father and son in Test cricket. Moreover, he managed to get the better of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who had won the toss and decided to bat first in this initial match of the two-match series.
While Ashwin took the spotlight, other Indian bowlers also made noteworthy contributions. Seamer Shardul Thakur played his part by dismissing Raymon Reifer early on, restricting his impact on the West Indies’ innings. Not to be outdone, Mohammed Siraj showcased his exceptional fielding skills, taking a sensational one-handed catch to assist all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in claiming his first wicket just before the Lunch break.
Buoyed by Ashwin’s inspired performance, The Team successfully bowled out the West Indies for a total of 150 runs. As the Indian team took to the crease, openers Rohit Sharma (scoring 30 runs) and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal (scoring an impressive 40 runs) guided the visitors to a solid start of 80/0 in 23 overs. This strong opening partnership put India in a favorable position, trailing the West Indies by only 70 runs by the end of the day’s play.
Overall, India’s exceptional performance, spearheaded by Ravichandran Ashwin’s historic achievements, has set them on a promising path in this crucial match of the World Test Championship.
Also Read: Scoreboard: India vs West Indies, Day 1