Ahmedabad, Oct 4 (NationPress) India's vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja excelled with bowling figures of 4-54 as India secured a commanding victory against the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. This win, achieved before the tea break on day three, grants India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and marks a triumphant home Test captaincy debut for Shubman Gill.

India commenced the day with a declaration, holding a lead of 286 runs, which proved sufficient for a comprehensive win over the West Indies, who found themselves quickly at 46/5. Despite Alick Athanaze (38) and Justin Greaves (25) attempting to resist with a 46-run partnership, they were ultimately bowled out in 45.1 overs during their second innings.

The West Indies’ batting, which lasted a mere 89.2 overs across both innings, starkly highlights their ongoing struggles in the longest format. As their bowlers failed to challenge India's top order effectively, the West Indies will face a daunting task to regroup and enhance their performance in the second and final Test scheduled in New Delhi, commencing on October 10.

Although Jadeja narrowly missed a five-wicket haul, he had an outstanding Test, scoring an unbeaten 104. Dhruv Jurel’s maiden century, along with KL Rahul’s composed hundred, laid the groundwork for India’s substantial first-innings total of 488/5, especially after their disappointing 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand at home last year.

Following India’s declaration, which aimed for a swift finish without giving Nitish Kumar Reddy a chance to bat, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj established the foundation with an incisive new-ball spell. Siraj also bowled a sharp delivery that beat Tagenarine Chanderpaul's edge before dismissing him with a short ball.

Resuming post-lunch, Washington Sundar and Bumrah operated in tandem as the West Indies looked to stabilize through the partnership between Greaves and Athanaze. The duo exhibited a blend of caution and calculated aggression, momentarily halting India’s momentum. Athanaze, in particular, displayed composure against spin, effectively judging length and utilizing the crease.

A brief moment of drama unfolded when Washington managed to grip and turn sharply, trapping Athanaze lbw. The on-field umpire declared him out, but Athanaze successfully overturned the decision upon review, revealing a significant inside edge. Later, he passed a concussion test after being struck on the helmet by a well-directed bouncer from Bumrah.

Athanaze’s resistance concluded at 38 when Sundar extracted turn and grip, forcing the batter to play against the turn and resulting in a simple caught and bowled dismissal.

Siraj made an impact in the following over, trapping Greaves lbw with a tailing yorker for 25, before Jomel Warrican’s ultra-aggression led to a careless dismissal, caught easily by mid-off. This encapsulated the unraveling of the West Indies in this match.

Johann Layne and Khary Pierre attempted to resist by striking five boundaries, but their defiance was short-lived as Jadeja had Layne caught at deep mid-off, while Jayden Seales offered a simple return catch that bounced off Kuldeep's chest, which he caught on the second attempt to secure an impressive win for India within three days.

Brief Scores: West Indies 162 and 146 in 45.1 overs (Alick Athanaze 38, Justin Greaves 25; Ravindra Jadeja 4-54, Mohammed Siraj 3-31) lost to India 488/5 dec in 128 overs (Dhruv Jurel 125, Ravindra Jadeja 104 not out; Roston Chase 2-90, Jayden Seales 1-53) by an innings and 140 runs.