India crushed West Indies by 237 runs on the fifth and final day of the third test in St Lucia on Saturday, clinching the series after the home team collapsed to 108 all out.
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India had not won or drawn a series outside the sub-continent since their triumph in West Indies in 2011.
Darren Bravo (59) was the only batsman to offer any meaningful resistance, his team-mates all failing to deliver as Mohammed Shami led the touring attack with 3-15 from 11 overs.
The historic moment came when Shanon Gabriel’s (11) slog was easily pouched by Bhuvneshwar at deep mid-wicket off Jadeja’s bowling.
With Lokesh Rahul, skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane being in fine touch and striking big runs, there is not much to worry about in batting, and the skipper said that he might stick to Rahul as the opener with Shikhar Dhawan. The hosts lost their last 6 wickets for 40 runs, and were bowled out for 108.
India vs West Indies 3rd Test is scheduled for a 7:30 pm IST (10 am local time) start. But once he fell, inside-edging Shami to short mid-wicket, the challenge was over.
Ashwin completed the all-round display from the bowlers, as first, he ran out Jason Holder (1) who was in a bad mix-up with Bravo going for a non-existent run, and then Alzarri Joseph was caught in the 43rd over.
India lost Rohit Sharma to a controversial decision early on Day 5.
India finished day four at 157/3, and considering its first innings’ lead of 128 runs, it already has a sizeable total on the board. After multiple replays, the third umpire deemed them inconclusive to call it a no ball and Bravo had to depart.
While the former tied down the batsmen with some tight swing, the latter used pace to force them back.
Another new addition, Ravindra Jadeja too signed off with a couple of wickets to go with his score of 16 runs off 13 balls in the second innings.
Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels attempted to fix the situation from the depths of four for two but Samuels fell to Ishant Sharma 15 minutes before the lunch interval when he was bowled for 12.
He played an uncharacteristic stroke to an incoming delivery and was bowled.
India would be hoping to declare their innings in the first session itself.
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With four runs added at 68 for five, Jermaine Blackwood edged a waft at Jadeja to wicketkeeper Saha and Shane Dowrich stayed around for just over half-hour in making five before getting one from Mohammed Shami that straightened, and edged to Kohli at second slip. Bhuvneshwar Kumar stepped up with a five-wicket haul to bowl out the West Indies for 225. This would give Virat Kohli’s bowlers some time to have a go at the Windies team in the remaining sessions.
