India wrapped up the first Test against West Indies in three days, courtesy of Ravichandran Ashwin’s 12-wicket-haul and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s splendid 171, earning him the player of the match award on debut.
After the World Test Championship final debacle against Australia, the tourists had a walk in the park against a significantly weaker, dejected opponent who failed to qualify for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
The likes of senior batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma got runs, while batters like Shubman Gill and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane failed to make a mark in India’s first innings run-fest of 421-5.
Gill edged Jomel Warrican to slip-fielder Alick Ahanaze for six off 11, while Rahane perished for three off 11 balls when trying to play on the up against pacer Kemar Roach.
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West Indies fell like a pack of cards in their second innings while recovering from a first-innings deficit of 271. The hosts were struggling at 108 for 9 when no.11 batter Warrican entered the crease. His ‘no.11’ status didn’t stop him from playing extravagant shots including sweeps and reverse sweeps. His over-ambitious innings of a run-a-ball 18 came to an end when he tried to play across the line against Ashwin. He missed the line and was adjudged LBW.
However, a missed opportunity with the bat didn’t deter Gill’s confidence as he shared a light-hearted moment with gloveman Ishan Kishan while watching the tailender play. In a self-deprecating tone, the star batter pointed out how the no.11 had outlived him and Rahane at the crease: “Humse zyada ballein khel gaya yaar… Ajju bhai, humse zyada ballein khel gaya ye” (He’s played more balls than us… Ajju-bhai, he’s played more balls than us”.
