India make WTC gains with massive win over West Indies

An elite all-round performance from Ravindra Jadeja saw India kickstart their home Test season in style with a win by an innings and 140 runs against the West Indies.

The victory on Day 3 in Ahmedabad provided a valuable boost to India in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship Standings.

The two-time finalists are currently third in the nine-team points table, with a 55.56 PCT after six games in the 2025/27 cycle.

The 2021/23 cycle winners Australia and Sri Lanka currently occupy the top-two spots in the standings.

Having been put in to bowl first in the first of two-Test match series, the hosts had bundled West Indies out for 162 in the first innings, courtesy of a strong showing from the Indian pacers.

Looking to establish advantage with the bat, India were bolstered by centuries from opener KL Rahul (100), wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel (125) and seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (104*).

India would declare their first innings with 448 runs on the board. Jadeja then, mounted further pressure on the visitors with the ball, snapping four wickets in the second innings as India ran through the Windies batting for 146 runs.

This was Jadeja’s 50th home Test but his first without long-time spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from international cricket last December. For over a decade, the pair dominated on India’s turning tracks, playing a key role in their strong record at home.

When asked about Ashwin’s absence, Jadeja responded: “I was playing a (Test) match in India without Ash for the first time, so sometimes I did find myself thinking, yeah, Ash will come on and bowl, and then realising he isn’t there.

“But Kuldeep (Yadav) and Washy (Washington Sundar) have already played so many matches, and we can’t call them youngsters, but it was a different combination.

“In the future you will ask, Jaddu isn’t here, and someone else will be there. This is inevitable, but it feels good to contribute to the team.”

Mohammed Siraj, who notched up a four-wicket haul in the first innings, also contributed with another three in the second.

For the West Indies, Alick Athanaze (38) and Justin Greaves (25) showed some resistance but were unable to snatch the momentum from India.

The win marked the Shubman Gill-led side’s second consecutive victory in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Their previous outing against England at The Oval saw them draw a pulsating five-match series 2-2.

India and West Indies will next face off in Delhi for the series decider starting October 10.