India delivered a cricketing masterclass at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, crushing West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the first Test of their two-match series. The hosts asserted their dominance across all departments, setting the tone for what promises to be an eventful home Test season. The result not only gave India a 1-0 lead in the series but also marked a significant milestone in the team’s ongoing transition, with Shubman Gill officially appointed as the new ODI captain following the match.
From the very start, India looked in complete control. Their batters piled on the runs, their bowlers exploited every nuance of a changing pitch, and their fielders backed them up with sharp catches and relentless energy. The West Indies, meanwhile, struggled to find their footing, succumbing to India’s all-round excellence inside just three days.
India’s decision to declare their first innings overnight at 448 for 5, with a mammoth lead of 286 runs, raised some eyebrows initially. But the logic was clear: the morning pitch was expected to offer assistance to the bowlers, and the home side wanted to capitalize on every opportunity. According to a report cited by Press Trust of India, “The reason for declaration was to utilise any help on offer from a morning track.” The move paid off handsomely, as West Indies’ batters were soon under siege from India’s potent attack.
The Indian innings was headlined by three outstanding centuries. KL Rahul’s assured 100, Dhruv Jurel’s patient and emotional 125, and vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 104 at number six set the foundation for the hosts’ imposing total. Jurel’s celebration was particularly poignant—he dedicated his century to the Indian Army, where his father served. “The fifty salute was for my father, the hundred celebration was for the army. Their work on the battlefield inspires me,” Jurel said, highlighting the personal significance of his achievement.
Jadeja, who was also named player of the match, showcased his all-round credentials. “I have worked hard on my batting. I had been batting lower at eight or nine, but now I bat at number six. So there is no need to rush and I take my time,” he reflected after the match. His calm approach at the crease was matched by his aggression with the ball, as he claimed 4 wickets for 54 runs in West Indies’ second innings.
The West Indies’ response in both innings was underwhelming. Bowled out for just 162 in the first innings and 146 in the second (in 45.1 overs), the visitors never really threatened to challenge India’s supremacy. Mohammed Siraj (3-31), Kuldeep Yadav (2-23), and Washington Sundar (1-18) provided crucial support to Jadeja, ensuring that wickets fell at regular intervals. Siraj expressed his satisfaction, saying, “Feeling very happy, we did well with both bat and ball. The wicket was slow in the 2nd innings, it just wasn’t coming onto the bat, felt like taking 5 wickets here (despite grabbing 3).”
West Indies’ captain Roston Chase was candid in his assessment: “When you win the toss and get bowled out for 160-odd it is tough to come back from that. Not the performance we were looking for. We have to bat better especially in India you have to put up a big first innings total and that is something we need to look at. The batting is the main problem, getting those partnerships and we didn’t get any fifty partnerships, in cricket it is about getting partnerships.”
There were a few bright spots for the visitors. Alick Athanaze top-scored in the second innings with a gritty 38, and Justin Greaves showed some resistance with a 25-run knock. Jayden Seales added a quickfire 22 off 12 balls, including two sixes, but these efforts were not enough to prevent a heavy defeat. The West Indies’ struggles with the bat were underscored by their inability to form meaningful partnerships—none reached fifty in either innings.
India’s bowling attack adapted expertly to the pitch, which offered different challenges each day. On Day One, the surface favored the pacers, and both Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah made early inroads. Day Two belonged to the batters, as India’s top and middle order cashed in on the easier conditions. By Day Three, the spinners came into their own, exploiting the wear and tear to devastating effect. As Deep Dasgupta noted in the pitch report, “Day 3, lot more for the spinners. No two ways about it. Lot more footmarks to work with on both sides, whether you are a right-hander or a left-hander. It is going to be really interesting to see how the batters manage this.”
With this win, India extended their remarkable record against West Indies in Test cricket. The Caribbean side has not beaten India in a Test match—home or away—since 2002, and this defeat marks the third-largest margin of victory by innings and runs for India over West Indies in Tests. The dominance was so complete that India wrapped up the match before tea on the third day, a testament to their efficiency and hunger.
The match also marked a significant moment in Indian cricket’s leadership landscape. Shubman Gill, who has been in excellent form and led the Test side recently, was named as the new ODI captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained, “It’s practically impossible to have three different captains for three formats. Obviously, at some stage, you have to start looking at where the next World Cup will be.” Gill will lead the side in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia, starting October 19, 2025, followed by five T20s. Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the squad as batters, but the baton of leadership has clearly passed to a new generation.
Agarkar also emphasized the continued importance of Sharma and Kohli, saying, “They just have to keep scoring runs, what they have been doing for so long. They are still leaders in this dressing room.” This blend of youth and experience is expected to serve India well as they build toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
The second Test of the series will take place in New Delhi from October 10 to 14. With India holding all the momentum and West Indies searching for answers, the stage is set for another gripping contest. Fans will be eager to see if the visitors can regroup or if India’s new era of leadership and all-round brilliance will continue to shine.
For now, India’s emphatic victory in Ahmedabad stands as a statement of intent—one that signals both continuity and change at the top of the cricketing world.
