India vs West Indies: India began their entry into the new World Test Championship with a thumping series win over the West Indies in the Caribbean. India won the two-match Test series 1-0 after rain interrupted the second match in Port of Spain. The Men in Blue are in for a bit of a turnaround as they give chances to the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar and Ishan Kishan, all of whom made their Test debuts in the two-match series. lack of Cheteshwar PujaraNumber 3 opened, which was filled Shubman Gill And Mohammed Siraj has once again shown his potential to lead the pace pack.
The Indian team had the complete package from the series. The batsmen scored heavily and were well supported by the fast bowlers but control and composure were shown in both departments. There was a lot of spin on the pitch of the first Test and Ravi Ashwin benefited from it. The second one was flat but Mohammed Siraj took advantage of the opportunity and put India in the driver’s seat.
Here are all the highlights of the series
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dream debut: Rajasthan Royals batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal has been called up to India after being in the reserves for the World Test Championship final against Australia. It seemed that he would retain Pujara’s place and take it at number three. Rohit SharmaThe pair of Shubman Gill remains intact. But Gill wanted to come down the order and pushed Jaiswal to the top in his debut series.
The southpaw did not disappoint in the slightest as he scored a record 171 on his Test debut, becoming only the third Indian opener to score a century on debut. The grit he showed, the skill and determination he showed, convinced many that he could be a long haul horse in the team.
Mukesh Kumar’s control of the ball – Mukesh Kumar was the other Indian who got the chance to make his debut and he also enjoyed the opportunity to the fullest. The fast bowler might not have been big in the wicket-taking list, but the way he controlled the proceedings speaks volumes about the experience he has gained at the Ranji level.
The 29-year-old took two wickets in the second Test but it was he who opened before Mohammad Siraj went on the offensive on the fourth day. Mukesh found Windies batsman Alyque Athanaj in front of the wicket and gave India the breakthrough they were eagerly waiting for with the new ball.
The height of Mohammad Siraj increased- This was another series where Mohammed Siraj took his Test bowler’s stature to great heights. On the flat track of the second Test in Port of Spain, Siraj ran through the Windies middle and lower order on the fourth day, a spell that actually opened the doors to victory for India.
He has been one of the most reliable bowlers in recent times across all formats and in the absence of senior pacers, his career-best five-wicket haul has ensured that he is the best contender to lead India’s pace attack in the future.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s dominance and equality – Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in the first Test match was another magical performance for the Blue Team. He was the main destroyer of the Windies line-up in the Dominica Test. The off-spinner took 60% ie 12 out of 20 wickets when he was accompanied by five other bowlers. There was help for the spinners on the surface and they took full advantage of it.
In the second game too, Ashwin picked three, including two in the second innings. Ashwin took the only wicket that fell in the Windies’ second innings on the fourth day, but the fifth day was washed out due to rain.
Return of the Giants veteran batsman Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Centuries in the Test series Both the players played quiet innings in the two Tests to score a hundred and score some runs ahead of the upcoming ODIs and Asia Cup 2023. He also scored centuries in the Border Gavaskar series, but was not among the big run-scorers in the 2–1 victory.
As India look towards the South Africa series in December, the Indian team would like to jot down some notes before playing the crucial overseas assignment as well as make it to the finals of the WTC 2023-25.