5 Reasons behind Team India's resounding win against the West Indies

#4. The Partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant

Rahane and Pant added 152 runs for the 5th wicket

When Virat Kohli got out for 45 in the first innings, India were in a spot of bother at 162 for 4. One more wicket would have exposed the lower-order batsmen. But Rahane and Rishabh Pant got together and added 152 runs for the 5th wicket.

The duo batted through the whole of the third session on day two and facilitated the team to inch closer to the Windies first innings score.

Rahane scored a solid 80 and got out only after the first innings lead was achieved. He fought his way out of a bad patch and warmed himself with a refreshing inning before the tour to Australia.

Rishabh Pant was in his usual aggressive self and scored a match-winning 92 with 11 fours and 2 sixes. For the second time in two matches, Pant got out for 92. But he has pulled India out of danger.

Rishabh Pant’s last 3 dismissals in his last 3 Test innings were all one-day dismissals hitting the ball uppishly in the air in trying to force the pace. With a little bit of prudence, Pant could have had 3 consecutive hundreds in 3 Test matches.

In the end, in a low scoring match, the 152 runs partnership between Rahane and Rishabh Pant proved to be decisive.

#5. Ashwin’s contribution with the bat and ball

Ashwin - The silent contributor

The injury to Shardul Thakur forced Virat Kohli to introduce Ashwin into the attack as early as in the fourth over of the match. The West Indies were not prepared for this and were taken by surprise.

Ashwin gave India the first breakthrough when he induced the dangerous Powell into playing a false stroke.

In the second innings too, Ashwin got the wicket of Powell who was caught brilliantly by Rahane in the slips. He finished with the wicket of Warrican.

While batting, Ashwin was struggling until Umesh Yadav got out. With an unfit Shardul Thakur as the last man with him, Ashwin decided to go for his shots. He added 28 valuable runs with Thakur for the last wicket which swelled the first innings lead to 56.

Ashwin was the last man out for 35. In the end, the lead of 56 proved to be too big for the West Indies batsmen to wipe out since they lost 4 wickets in the process.

Ashwin’s silent performance with both bat and ball almost went unnoticed but had a significant effect on the final outcome of the match.

So another Test match against the West Indies got over in 3 days time. But the real challenge starts off in Adelaide in less than two month’s time. Over to Australia.