Ashwin’s 5 Wicket Haul Sets India’s Victory Over WI in 1st Test

The world’s top-ranked bowler Ravichandran Ashwin smashed through an ill-equipped West Indies batting line-up with his second five-wicket haul in the match to take India to an innings and 141-run victory over the West Indies in the opening Test in Dominica on Friday.

India declared their first innings at 421 for five asking the West Indies to bat. But the Caribbean batters could not match the Indian bowlers and collapsed to 130 all out in 50 overs to ensure a three-day finish of the 5-day Test match.

Ashwin followed his 33rd five-wicket haul in the first innings with envious figures of seven for 71 in 21.3 overs in the second innings. It was the best bowling performance in an overseas Test.

Ashwin was a major catalyst behind the bundling of West Indies for 150 on the opening day.

India’s big win also had Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable 171 on debut. Virat Kohli contributed with 76 off 182 balls.

The second and final Test starts in Port of Spain, Trinidad, from July 20. India have not lost a Test to West Indies since 2002.