In a damp conclusion to the centennial Test between West Indies and India in Port of Spain, the rain had the final say on Day 5, with not a single ball being bowled. As a result, the match ended in a draw, but India secured a 1-0 victory in the two-match Test series against the West Indies.
With the hosts at 76/2 at Stump’s on Day 4, they needed 289 runs to level the series, but persistent rain thwarted any hopes of a result.
Although there were glimpses of blue sky, the play couldn’t begin as scheduled at 1:15 pm local time due to another spell of showers. A revised start time of 1:40 pm also failed to materialize as the rain continued to pour, eventually leading to the cancellation of the day’s play and the Test itself.
The drawn Test allowed India to collect four points, taking their tally to 16 in the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship. However, this affected their percentage of points, which dropped to 66.66. On the other hand, West Indies registered their first points on the board courtesy of this drawn Test.
Recapping the Test, India batted first on Day 1 and built a solid foundation with openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who put together their second consecutive century partnership.
While Rohit struck 80, Jaiswal, who had scored a century on his debut, followed it up with a composed 57 at a strike rate of over 75.
Despite West Indies hitting back with quick wickets, Virat Kohli’s 29th Test century in his 500th international appearance, along with Ravindra Jadeja’s contribution of 61, revived India. R Ashwin also displayed his batting prowess, scoring 56, to help India post a total of 438.
In response, West Indies mounted a cautious reply led by Kraigg Brathwaite’s gritty 75 off 235 balls. They batted for 108 overs across Day 2 and Day 3, reaching 229/5.
However, Mohammed Siraj’s maiden Test five-wicket haul on Day 4 provided India with an opportunity, and despite persistent rain interruptions, the hosts were bowled out for 255.
India then declared their second innings at 181/2 in 24 overs, with Rohit registering his fastest fifty, securing his third in a row, while Ishan Kishan, promoted to No. 4, notched his maiden Test half-century.
India made some inroads in West Indies’ fourth innings, and they ended Day 4 at 76/2, which remained the final score as the relentless rain forced the match into a draw.
India had previously won the opening Test in Dominica by an inning and 141 runs, with Jaiswal’s stunning 171 and Ashwin’s impressive 12-wicket haul taking center stage.
The focus now shifts to the ODI series, with the first two matches taking place in Barbados on July 27 and 29, followed by the third ODI in Trinidad on August 1. A five-match T20I series will conclude the tour from August 3 to 13.
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