As expected West Indies suffered an innings defeat at the hands of India on the fourth day of the first test at Antigua. This time the main tormentor was Ravi Ashwin who went wicketless in the first innings. It was a test to remember for him as he triggered a collapse and accounted for seven wickets.He also scored a fine century in the first innings which contained not only patience but also elegance.
The day started off with quick and Umesh Yadav yet again gave India their first breakthrough in the form of Darren Bravo. The stylish left handed once again got tempted to wide outside off delivery and the edge was smartly taken by the ever trusted Ajinkya Rahane at gully. Samuels unlike the previous innings got off to a good start and was looking good to make a big one. He had a stroke of luck when he nicked one to Saha and was adjudged not out by the TV umpire as the replays turned out to be inconclusive. He showed aggression with a mixture of patience and was particularly severe against the lead spinner Ashwin.
Post lunch session turned out to be a nightmare for Windies as they collapsed from 88 for 2 to 132 for 8. Ashwin was the chief in destruction as the offie who went wicketless in first innings changed his plans and length which turned out to a fruitful one. He drifted the ball using the wind and made the batsman to come forward. Chandrika was the first to go when he came down the track and inside edged one to Saha’s gloves. Jermaine Blackwood did not last long as he skipped down the track and flicked it towards mid wicket only to find a diving skipper Kohli.
Samuels was the next to follow after making a fine half century. He had no clue to a beauty from Ashwin which clipped the bail of the off stump. The Tamil Nadu offie looked a different bowler and started asking questions to the clueless West Indian batting line up. Roston Chase miserable time at the crease came to an end as he inside edged one to KL Rahul who took a smart catch.
Dowrich who was unbeaten in the first innings was adjudged LBW off Amit Mishra.Another beauty from Ashwin disturbed the stumps of the skipper Jason Holder. The big West Indian took a big stride forward to a drifter which spun and dislodged the bails.West Indies were reeling at 132 for 8.
The Big hitting Carlos Brathwaite showed some resistance along with the company of Bishoo and delayed the inevitable. He was aggressive as well as cautious and was unbeaten on 51. Bishoo helped himself to a fine 45 before Ashwin was brought into the attack to finish off the tail. The offie finished with the figures of 7 for 83 which turned out to be the best for an Indian bowler in the Caribbean.
The innings and 92 run victory is India’s biggest outside Asia.