India demolished West Indies in first Test

Jasprit Bumrah

NORTH SOUND (Antigua): India inflicted a humiliating 318-run defeat on the West Indies in the first Test as Jasprit Bumrah dismantled the hosts with a five-wicket haul after Ajinkya Rahane found his first century in two years on Sunday.

West Indies were chasing a stiff 419-run target but Indian pacers led by Bumrah demolished the hosts, who were all out for just 100 in 26.5 overs in the final session of the fourth day.

It was a Bumrah show in perfect weather conditions as he sent the wickets cart-wheeling four times during a sensational eight-over spell in which he conceded just seven runs. Playing his 11th Test, he also became the fastest India pacer to take 50 Test wickets.

Bumrah swung the ball both ways to torment the home batsmen while Ishant Sharma (3/31) and Mohammed Shami (2/13) too contributed in India’s resounding victory which gave them a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Kemar Roach (38), Miguel Cummins (19 not out) and Roston Chase (12) were the only batsmen who managed double-digit mark. Roach added 50 runs for the last wicket with Cummins but it just delayed the inevitable.

No top-order batsman could resist the furious spell from Bumrah, who first dismissed openers Kraigge Brathwaite (1) and John Campbell (7) and later saw the back of Darren Bravo (2), Shai Hope (2) and Jason Holder to complete his five-wicket haul.

It is India’s fourth-biggest Test win but biggest in away Tests as winning by 337 runs against South Africa in Delhi in 2015-16 remains their best ever.

The result gave Virat Kohli the joint-most number of victories as India captain, tying for 27 wins with MS Dhoni.