A Morning in Ahmedabad, A Match in India’s Name

As the 9:30 a.m. sunlight crept across the red soil of Narendra Modi Stadium, the match began to change color -India’s color. By the time half of the third day had passed, the scoreboard, the crowd’s applause, and the smiles inside the Indian dressing room were all saying one thing: “This match is ours.”
And by evening, the story had written itself – India defeated West Indies by an innings and 140 runs to take a 1–0 lead in the series.

The First Layer: From the Ball to the Bat

West Indies’ start was shaky – their first innings folded for just 162. The Indian bowlers, one spell after another, wove a net so tight that no batter found freedom. Mohammed Siraj drew the first bold lines of this story -seven wickets across both innings, with such pace and consistency that the West Indian plans simply fell apart.

Then came the batting – and that’s when the match didn’t just slip into India’s hands, it settled comfortably into their pocket. India declared at 448/5, a score that wasn’t just about dominance, but about direction.
Three men signed that statement: KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja – all with centuries.

Jadeja’s knock was a quiet sculpture – an unbeaten 104, crafted stroke by stroke with calm precision. Rahul’s hundred carried a father’s glow – a smile and a whistle that spread from the dressing room to the stands. Jurel’s maiden ton, sealed with a military salute, brought stories of roots and pride right into the center of the ground. And Jadeja’s sword celebration added a royal sparkle.
It wasn’t just a Test match anymore – it had turned into folklore.

The Second Layer: Jadeja, the All-Round Axis

By the third day, captain Shubman Gill called it “a perfect game” – and rightly so. After shining with the bat, Jadeja spun the match again with the ball. His 4/54 in the second innings tore through the West Indies middle order. Around him, Kuldeep Yadav’s clever spin, Siraj’s persistent probing, and Bumrah’s steady menace built a ring of control that suffocated the opposition.

When Jadeja’s name echoed as Player of the Match, it felt as though the entire stadium revolved around him – the calm, complete all-rounder.

The West Indian resistance – led briefly by Athanaze and Justin Greaves – flickered for a while but fizzled out. Captain Roston Chase admitted it plainly: the real mistake was the 162 of the first innings.

Beyond the Boundary: Team Over Individuals

Captain Gill’s words after the match reflected composure and confidence. He praised India’s spin depth – Kuldeep and Washington Sundar – but also looked ahead, seeing the future forming. His own fifty and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s promising starts were reminders that even on good days, there’s room to grow.

That’s the strength of this team – when one or two links slacken, the rest of the chain tightens.
And if you love the rituals of Test cricket, this match had them all: the shine of a new ball, the whisper of reverse swing, the rise and fall of spin, and fielding so sharp it stole time itself.

The WTC Picture: Numbers Behind the Glory

With this win, India pocketed 12 points in the World Test Championship (2025–27) cycle, taking their PCT (Points Percentage) to 55.56%.
In simple terms – India has earned 55.56% of all points available to them so far, standing third on the table behind Australia (100%) and Sri Lanka (66.67%).

A quick recap:

Win = 12 points
Draw = 4
Tie = 6
PCT = (Points Earned / Points Available) × 100
No penalties for slow over-rate were recorded in this match – so 40/72 = 55.56% holds steady.

Ahead: Delhi Awaits

The second and final Test begins October 10 in Delhi, and India now has a double incentive – to seal the series and to climb higher in the WTC table.
If the rhythm and teamwork seen in Ahmedabad repeat in Delhi, India’s PCT – and their march toward the final – will rise further.

The Cast That Made It Happen

Ravindra Jadeja: 104* and 4/54 – both hands on the steering wheel. Player of the Match.
Mohammed Siraj: 7 wickets – fierce pace and purpose.
KL Rahul: A century wrapped in fatherhood – the game’s most human smile.
Dhruv Jurel: Hundred and a salute – roots, pride, and poise.
Kuldeep Yadav: The quiet disruptor – fewer overs, bigger impact.
Shubman Gill (Captain): The calm conductor of a “perfect game.”

The Match That Became a Memory

Maybe you saw the score in the morning on your way to work – and by evening, it was all over.
This Test moved fast – not because it was short, but because India never let go of control.

Ahmedabad’s win will be remembered not just for numbers, but for people – Rahul’s warmth, Jurel’s salute, Jadeja’s balance, Siraj’s fire.
When cricket turns this human, every line writes itself – exactly as it did today.

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