The recently concluded India Tour of West Indies 2023 witnessed an outstanding performance by the Indian cricket team in the 1st Test. The match was marked by several remarkable statistical achievements by both teams. In this article, we will delve into the key statistics and records that were set during this thrilling Test match.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Shines on Test Debut
Yashasvi Jaiswal made an impressive mark in his Test debut, becoming the eighth Indian player to win the Player-of-the-Match award on Test debut. His exceptional performance showcased his talent and potential as a rising star in Indian cricket.
Ashwin’s Magnificent Feats
Indian spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin displayed his brilliance on the field, leaving a trail of records in his wake. With ten-wicket match hauls in Test cricket, Ashwin equaled Anil Kumble’s record, making him one of the most successful Indian bowlers in this format. Only four bowlers have taken more 10-wicket match hauls in Test cricket than Ashwin and Kumble.
Ashwin’s ability to take five-wicket hauls in Tests was evident once again, with his tally reaching 34, just one behind Kumble’s record of 35. This achievement places Ashwin in the fifth position for the most five-wicket hauls in Tests, alongside Rangana Herath.
Ashwin’s Exceptional Performances in Both Innings
Ashwin’s prowess in Test cricket was further highlighted by his extraordinary performances in both innings. He has managed to take five or more wickets in both innings in six Test matches. Only Muthiah Muralidaran and Rangana Herath have achieved this feat more often than Ashwin. Additionally, Sydney Barnes has also accomplished this six times.
In the third innings of the match, Ashwin’s exceptional figures of 7 for 71 became the best figures in Test cricket for an Indian in the West Indies. This performance surpassed his own record of 7 for 83 in Antigua during the 2016 tour. Ishant Sharma’s ten-wicket match haul of 10 for 108 in the 2011 Bridgetown Test was the only previous instance of such an achievement in the West Indies.
Ashwin’s Remarkable Match Figures
Ashwin’s match figures of 12 for 131 in Dominica rank as the fourth-best for any bowler in a Test match in the West Indies. Among spinners, only Tony Greig’s figures of 13 for 156 in Port of Spain in 1974 surpass Ashwin’s match figures in the Caribbean. This outstanding performance further solidified Ashwin’s position as one of the finest spin bowlers in the world.
West Indies’ Struggles with Batting
The West Indies team faced significant challenges with their batting in the Dominica Test match. The team aggregated a mere 280 runs, the lowest against India in a Test match where they have been bowled out in both innings. The previous lowest was 322 runs at Sabina Park in 2006 and during the 2019 home series in Antigua. These numbers also rank as the third-fewest runs by West Indies in a Test match at home.
In fact, only two Test matches have witnessed a lower aggregate by the home team against India than West Indies’ 280 in Dominica. England’s batting struggles resulted in scores of 102 and 128 at Headingley in 1986, while New Zealand aggregated 240 runs across both innings at Eden Park in 1968.
Conclusion
The 1st Test of the India Tour of West Indies 2023 proved to be a memorable and record-breaking encounter. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exceptional debut, along with Ravichandran Ashwin’s remarkable performances, added immense value to the match. The struggles faced by the West Indies batting lineup further highlighted the dominance of the Indian team. As the tour progresses, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await more thrilling matches and statistical achievements in this highly anticipated series.
