With an impressive Test record of remaining unbeaten for 14 years against West Indies, Team India came into the 1st Test looking to continue this winning stride. The weather conditions in Antigua were ideal for Test cricket as it remained bright and sunny throughout the Test match. Team India went into the match with a perfect balance of 6 batsmen and 5 bowlers and elected to bat first after winning the toss. Virat Kohli’s 6 batsmen & 5 bowlers strategy also allowed Mohammed Shami to make his long awaited comeback to international cricket.

The Indian openers Shikar Dhawan and Murali Vijay came out to bat with an intent to post a huge total in the first innings. Team India suffered an early blow as they lost Murali Vijay in the 7th over caught out in the slips. Cheteshwar Pujara was the next batsmen who along with Shikhar took Team India’s score to 72 for 1 at Lunch.

Pujara’s stay at the crease was cut short, as Bishoo got him out in his first over of the match. With Team India dwindling at 74-2 skipper Kohli walked to the crease. He looked in good touch and stitched a century partnership (105) with Shikar Dhawan. Kohli went on to score his maiden Test Century against the West Indies as Team India ended the day at 302 -4.

Things got even better on day 2 as Kohli quickly scored his 150 and Ashwin who was promoted ahead of Saha also went on to score a half century before lunch. In the 118th over of the Indian innings, Virat Kohli was celebrating yet another milestone, this time the reason behind the celebration was his maiden Test double-century. Soon after becoming the 1st Indian captain to score an oversea Test double century, Kohli lost his wicket but Ashwin continued his run with the bat along with Wriddhiman Saha and Amit Mishra. The off spinner reached his 3rd Test ton (all of them against West Indies). Mishra also proved his worth with the bat scoring a quick fire 53 before Virat Kohli signaled declaration on 566 for 8. The day ended with West Indies scoring 31 at the loss of 1 wicket.

On Day 3, Amit Mishra was the first to strike sending back Devendra Bishoo, the night watchman who hung around for 16 overs. Hereafter it was Mohammed Shami who destroyed the West Indian middle order by claiming the wickets of Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels & Jermaine Blackwood. West Indies scoreboard looked bleak at 92 for 5 after 49 overs. Yadav joined the party claiming the wickets of Roston Chase & Kraigg Brathwaite (74) who was the top scorer in the 1st innings for West Indies. The lower order showed resistance but failed to avoid follow-on. West Indies were 21 for 1 at the end of Day 3.

During the morning session on Day 4, Marlon Samuels and Rajendra Chandrika shared a fifty-run partnership and fought hard to keep West Indies alive in the Test match. Ashwin who went wicket less in the 1st innings & throughout the morning session on Day 4, picked up his rhythm & ran through the inexperienced batting order. Carlos Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo although had other plans for Team India as they stuck around for 24.1 overs. After Tea break, Ashwin came back and finished the match with the wickets of Bishoo and Shannon Gabriel in the same over, calming 7 wickets for 83 runs in the 2nd innings. Ishant, Yadav and Mishra were also amongst the wickets.

India defeated West Indies by an innings and 92-runs, which now is India’s biggest win outside Asia. Kohli’s magnificent innings of 200 was overshadowed by the all-round performance of R. Ashwin who was awarded the Man of the Match. West Indies after a dismal performance will look to bounce back in the second Test starting from 30th of July.