Ravichandran Ashwin Registers Records figures to win Against West Indies

Ravichandran Ashwin

India started their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign with a resounding victory against the West Indies in the first Test in Dominica. The match concluded in just three days, with India winning by an innings and 141 runs, their largest victory by an innings margin in a Test match outside of Asia.

Ravichandran Ashwin was the standout performer of the match, exhibiting a stellar bowling display in the second innings. Ashwin claimed impressive figures of 7 for 71, securing his eighth 10-wicket haul in Test cricket, which equals the record set by the legendary Anil Kumble. Notably, Ashwin’s bowling performance in the second innings was his best in an overseas Test, highlighting his exceptional skills in challenging conditions. His match haul of 12 for 131 further emphasized his dominance.

Also read: The role of spinners, pitch conditions, and team strategies in the WTC final

In the West Indies’ second innings, India’s spin duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc on the opposition batting lineup. Ashwin exploited the pitch’s assistance from the outset, generating significant turn and bounce. Chanderpaul managed a boundary off Ashwin’s full delivery but struggled to handle the turning ball and eventually fell victim to Jadeja’s LBW appeal. Raymon Reifer also survived a close call at silly point before eventually succumbing to Ashwin, who changed his angle of attack and induced an edge to first slip.

Jadeja continued to trouble the West Indian batsmen, causing Blackwood to edge one, narrowly evading a catch at third slip. Reifer and Blackwood provided some resistance but were dismissed in quick succession at the beginning of the final session. Blackwood fell LBW to a sharply turning delivery from Jadeja, and Reifer’s review for an LBW decision also proved futile.

As the innings progressed, Athanaze displayed elegant stroke-making, capitalizing on Ashwin’s loose deliveries. However, Mohammed Siraj’s reintroduction to the attack resulted in Da Silva’s dismissal, trapped leg-before-wicket. Athanaze continued to play confidently but eventually fell victim to Ashwin, caught at short leg off an inside edge.

Despite some counterattacking strokes by Joseph and Holder, Ashwin continued to assert his dominance, claiming his fourth wicket by dismissing Joseph. Ashwin secured his second five-wicket haul of the match when he had Cornwall caught at short leg and subsequently bowled Roach. With one wicket remaining, Warrican entertained the crowd briefly but ultimately succumbed to Ashwin’s guile, attempting a reverse sweep.

India’s victory was comprehensive and highlighted their formidable spin-bowling attack, led by Ashwin’s exceptional performance. The team’s impressive start to the WTC 2023-25 campaign bodes well for their aspirations in the tournament.