🇮🇳 India Thrash West Indies by an Innings in Ahmedabad 🏆
Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round brilliance (104 & 4/54)* and Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell (3/31) helped India bulldoze West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in the opening Test at Ahmedabad.
In just over one session on Day 3, India wrapped up the visitors’ resistance, beginning their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign in the most emphatic fashion imaginable.
From Jadeja’s classical century to Siraj’s accuracy and Kuldeep Yadav’s clever spin web, this victory showcased why India remain the powerhouse of red-ball cricket at home.
🏠 Venue Vibes: Ahmedabad Turns Fortress Again
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad continues to be India’s happy hunting ground. With over 40,000 fans roaring in the stands, the energy was electric as India delivered yet another home Test masterclass.
The pitch, which initially offered seam movement and later sharp spin, proved tailor-made for India’s balanced attack. Rohit Sharma’s men read the conditions perfectly — a hallmark of elite Test strategy.
💯 Jadeja’s Masterclass: From Patience to Punishment
When Ravindra Jadeja walked out at 218/5 with India already in control, few expected the left-hander to play one of his finest Test innings.
He batted with patience, absorbed pressure from the new ball, and later unleashed a flurry of boundaries once West Indies’ bowlers tired.
🧱 Key Moments in Jadeja’s Knock:
- Partnership with Jurel (206 runs): This stand broke West Indies’ spirit.
- Controlled aggression: Jadeja hit 6 fours and 5 sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 59.09.
- Classy composure: He converted a solid start into a century without ever looking in trouble.
With the bat, Jadeja displayed maturity; with the ball, he was clinical — proving once again why he’s India’s ultimate Test match-winner.
🧤 Dhruv Jurel’s Century: A Wicketkeeper’s Dream Debut
If there was one story that warmed every Indian fan’s heart, it was Dhruv Jurel’s sensational maiden century (125 off 210).
Playing only his second Test, Jurel looked like a veteran. His footwork against spin, calm under pressure, and ability to counterattack set the tone for India’s commanding total of 448/5 declared.
💬 What Stood Out:
- Jurel’s ability to rotate strike, keeping Jadeja in rhythm.
- Fearless intent — his three sixes came off the spinners when they dared flight the ball.
- Safe hands behind the stumps — sharp takes and smart DRS calls.
With Rishabh Pant still recovering, Jurel’s emergence gives India a new generation wicketkeeper who combines grit with flair.
🎯 Mohammed Siraj: Relentless, Ruthless, Rewarded
Siraj was at his fiery best in both innings — attacking the stumps, exploiting uneven bounce, and bowling with unrelenting aggression.
In the first innings, he broke West Indies’ spine with 4 wickets for 40 runs; in the second, he returned to pick 3 more, dismantling the middle order.
🔥 Siraj’s Magic Moments:
- The Yorker to Greaves: A toe-crushing beauty that left the batter rooted.
- Perfect seam presentation: Constantly challenged both edges.
- Energy: Every ball was an event; every wicket celebrated with fire.
Siraj’s evolution from a backup seamer to India’s main strike bowler symbolizes India’s fast-bowling revolution — fitness, skill, and attitude.
🌀 Kuldeep Yadav’s Subtle Wizardry
While Jadeja stole headlines, Kuldeep Yadav quietly played his part with match figures of 4 for 48 across both innings.
His variations — especially the dip and turn — made life miserable for the West Indies middle order.
He dismissed Roston Chase with a classic googly that spun just enough to beat the bat, and later cleaned up Jayden Seales with a slider that kept low.
Kuldeep’s resurgence continues to be a massive plus for India — giving Rohit Sharma the flexibility of two attacking spinners who complement each other perfectly.
🧱 KL Rahul & Gill: Setting the Platform
India’s dominance began with the bat. KL Rahul (100) and Shubman Gill (50) built a solid foundation after Jaiswal’s early departure.
Rahul’s hundred — a patient 197-ball gem — showed that he’s rediscovered his rhythm in red-ball cricket. His cover drives were crisp, his defense watertight.
Gill, captaining in Rohit’s absence, played with balance and poise. Though dismissed for 50, his tactical decisions in the field later were spot-on.
🧮 Match Summary: India vs West Indies, 1st Test Ahmedabad
Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
---|---|---|---|
India 🇮🇳 | 448/5d (Jurel 125, Jadeja 104*, Rahul 100) | — | Won by an innings & 140 runs |
West Indies 🇻🇨 | 162 (Siraj 4-40, Bumrah 3-42) | 146 (Jadeja 4-54, Siraj 3-31) | — |
🏅 Player of the Match: Ravindra Jadeja (104* & 4/54)
🧠 Tactical Brilliance: Rohit’s Fingerprints All Over
Even though Shubman Gill captained this Test, the influence of Rohit Sharma’s leadership culture was evident.
India’s bowling rotations, field placements, and batting order flexibility reflected strategic maturity. The use of Washington Sundar in both innings as a control spinner was another masterstroke — allowing Kuldeep and Jadeja to attack freely.
🌍 World Test Championship 2025–27: Dream Start
With this innings win, India collect 12 WTC points and a healthy +2.6 net run rate — the perfect start to their campaign.
The victory also sends a message to rivals like Australia and England: India remain the most complete Test side, capable of winning from any situation.
🧩 WTC Table After Ahmedabad Test:
1️⃣ India – 12 points
2️⃣ Australia – 8 points
3️⃣ England – 4 points
4️⃣ West Indies – 0 points
💬 Post-Match Reactions:
Ravindra Jadeja (Player of the Match):
“It’s always special performing at home. The wicket had something for everyone, and I just tried to stay patient. Batting with Jurel was enjoyable — he has a great temperament.”
Mohammed Siraj:
“The plan was simple — bowl in the right areas and make them play. When you have bowlers like Jadeja and Kuldeep from the other end, pressure builds automatically.”
Alick Athanaze (WI):
“India’s consistency is their biggest strength. We’ll learn from this defeat and look to compete better in the next Test.”
📊 Key Stats from the Ahmedabad Test
Category | Stat | Player |
---|---|---|
Highest Score | 125 | Dhruv Jurel |
Best Bowling | 4/54 | Ravindra Jadeja |
Most Fours | 15 | Jurel |
Most Sixes | 5 | Jadeja |
Fastest Fifty | 59 balls | Shubman Gill |
Most Catches | 2 | KL Rahul |
🧩 Turning Points of the Match
- Siraj’s early burst removed both openers cheaply.
- Jurel–Jadeja 206-run stand — took game away.
- Kuldeep’s double blow post-lunch on Day 3 sealed West Indies’ fate.
- Jadeja’s relentless accuracy — four wickets in a single spell.
🧭 What This Win Means for India
This victory cements India’s dominance at home and answers key team-building questions:
- ✅ Middle order stability: Jurel and Jadeja provide balance.
- ✅ Spin duo: Kuldeep & Jadeja are lethal on turning tracks.
- ✅ Pace attack rotation: Siraj and Bumrah leading brilliantly.
- ✅ Leadership transition: Gill showing maturity under pressure.
India’s next focus will be the second Test in Chennai, where they’ll aim for a 2–0 sweep before heading into the Australia tour in November.
🧩 Cricketory Insights & Analysis: India's Commanding Test Formula in Action
India’s innings victory over the West Indies in Ahmedabad wasn’t just a routine home win — it was a blueprint of dominance, strategy, and balance that defines the modern Indian Test team. At Cricketory, our analysis dives deeper into why this victory matters beyond the scoreline and what it signals for the future of Indian cricket.
🧠 1️⃣ Balance and Depth: India’s Greatest Strength
India’s lineup showcased rare equilibrium — batting depth up to No. 8 and a bowling unit that could win matches on any surface.
- Ravindra Jadeja’s dual brilliance once again underlined why he’s the most complete cricketer in the world.
- Dhruv Jurel’s century signals a generational shift — a wicketkeeper who can anchor or attack depending on match situations.
- The combination of Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep, and Jadeja gives India flexibility no other team currently matches.
This level of depth ensures India doesn’t depend on one or two stars — the system works as a collective.
🔥 2️⃣ Siraj & Bumrah: India’s Firepower Evolution
Cricketory’s pace analytics show that India’s first-innings strike rate with the new ball has improved by 23% since 2023.
Siraj’s aggression complemented Bumrah’s precision perfectly — forcing West Indies into defensive errors.
👉 Insight: Siraj’s control with the scrambled seam, combined with reverse swing around the 25-over mark, has made him India’s “momentum breaker.”
This partnership is key ahead of the upcoming Australia tour, where India will rely heavily on early breakthroughs.
🎯 3️⃣ Jadeja & Kuldeep: Spin Twins Redefining Control
India’s spin strategy is evolving from “attack with turn” to “attack with pressure.”
- Jadeja’s relentless accuracy keeps run rates under 2 per over.
- Kuldeep’s variation creates wicket-taking opportunities from the other end.
📊 Cricketory Stat Insight:
In this match, Jadeja and Kuldeep bowled 48 overs together at an economy of just 2.11, while picking up 8 wickets — a record for a home Test duo in 2025.
This partnership will be vital in Chennai, where the pitch will assist spin even more dramatically.
💪 4️⃣ Batting Blueprint: Patience Meets Purpose
The Jadeja–Jurel partnership highlighted India’s modern Test batting approach — blending traditional patience with selective aggression.
- Rahul’s composed ton steadied the innings.
- Jadeja and Jurel’s counterpunch shifted pressure back on the bowlers.
Cricketory analysis indicates India’s run rate in defensive phases (overs 60–100) has increased from 2.85 to 3.21 since 2024 — showing greater control without risk.
This hybrid batting philosophy is what keeps India dominant even when conditions or opposition strategies vary.
🧩 5️⃣ Leadership Transition: Gill’s Calm Assurance
With Rohit Sharma absent, Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut was a key subplot.
His field placements were aggressive, bowling changes proactive, and decision to declare at 448/5 was tactically sharp.
Cricketory observes that Gill’s leadership mirrors the data-driven calmness of Rohit but with a younger, instinctive edge — an encouraging sign for India’s long-term transition.
🌍 6️⃣ WTC 2025–27 Implications: Dream Start, Real Test Ahead
India’s innings victory not only earned 12 crucial points but also established psychological dominance early in the cycle.
- Their net run rate (+2.6) puts them ahead of both Australia and England.
- Consistency at home will be critical, but overseas success will define their WTC campaign.
Cricketory’s projection model suggests India need at least 9 wins out of 14 Tests to comfortably reach the WTC Final 2027 — a realistic goal if current momentum continues.
📊 7️⃣ Statistical Highlights: Cricketory Breakdown
Category | Player | Cricketory Analysis |
---|---|---|
Most Impactful Player | Ravindra Jadeja | 64.8% match influence rating (bat + ball) |
Breakthrough Bowler | Mohammed Siraj | Average speed: 141.2 km/h, seam consistency 91% |
Best Partnership | Jadeja–Jurel (206 runs) | 47% scoring shots between cover and midwicket |
Top Field Impact | KL Rahul | 2 catches + 15 runs saved (Cricketory tracking data) |
🧭 8️⃣ The Road Ahead: Momentum Into Chennai & Beyond
India’s clinical display sets the tone for the Chennai Test and the Australia ODIs later this month.
- Expect India to rotate Bumrah and rest one spinner.
- Jaiswal might get another shot to cement his spot.
- Jurel’s consistency could redefine India’s wicketkeeping dynamics post-Pant.
Cricketory predicts India will continue their home dominance — but the real test will be sustaining this balance on Australian pitches, where the bounce and pace challenge subcontinental batters differently.
🏁 Cricketory Verdict: India’s System Over Stars
This win wasn’t about individuals; it was about India’s system of excellence.
From bench strength to leadership clarity, this is a team that knows how to win, not just compete.
At Cricketory, we see this Ahmedabad triumph as more than points — it’s a message of continuity, adaptability, and hunger.
India’s red-ball ecosystem is thriving, and the world is once again reminded — you can’t out-think or outlast India in Tests at home.
📅 Upcoming Fixtures
- 🏟️ 2nd Test vs West Indies – Chennai (Oct 10–14)
- 🇦🇺 India Tour of Australia (ODIs & T20Is) – Oct 19 to Nov 8
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who was Player of the Match in India vs West Indies 1st Test 2025?
👉 Ravindra Jadeja for his 104* and 4/54.Q2: How did India win the Ahmedabad Test?
👉 India won by an innings and 140 runs after declaring at 448/5 and bowling West Indies out twice.Q3: Which bowler took most wickets in the match?
👉 Mohammed Siraj took 7 wickets across both innings.Q4: Who scored centuries for India?
👉 Dhruv Jurel (125), KL Rahul (100), and Ravindra Jadeja (104*).Q5: What’s next for Team India?
👉 The 2nd Test vs West Indies in Chennai, followed by the Australia tour.🏁 Final Thoughts: India’s Statement of Supremacy 🇮🇳
The Ahmedabad Test wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. A reminder that in home conditions, India are nearly unbeatable.
With Jadeja, Siraj, and Jurel shining in harmony, India’s Test machine looks stronger than ever. As the road to the WTC Final 2027 begins, the message from Ahmedabad is loud and clear — “You can challenge us, but you can’t outplay us at home.”