West Indies saw themselves embroiled in a familiar capitulation after losing 14 wickets in just over two sessions as India romped to an emphatic innings and 272-run victory. The win for India came inside three days of the opening Test, to record their largest-ever win in Tests.
This comes as a big moment for Virat Kohli & Co. who stomped to two big wins already at home this season. Over time, India have registered some astounding victories in the longest format of the game. And this win against the inferior Windies was another feather added to the illustrious cap.
West Indies, who were bottled in by Indian spinners, who shared 17 wickets between them over two innings. The tourists made 181 after India’s 649/9.
In the 2nd innings, WI were bowled out for 196 to hand India their biggest win- by an innings and 272 runs. Ahead of the 2nd Test starting on October 12 in Hyderabad, here we look at 7 of India’s highest Test victories over time.
India sweep aside inferior WIÂ
India were all over West Indies in the first Test in the ongoing 2-match series. This was coming for a while as India have played superbly at home since the last two years. One may also say a lethal show was coming to fruition as the response was needed after the 1-4 series loss against England.
This was another spin delight from India as Kuldeep Yadav and R Ashwin were stars with the ball. Â The duo shared 12 wickets between them. They made life difficult for the Windies and the visitors were cramped up against their quality show.
When you have skipper Virat Kohli in supreme form, one doesn’t need to worry much. The 29-year-old stood out as he slammed his 24th Test ton. It was a superb knock by the skipper. Also the cynosure of all eyes – debutant Prithvi Shaw struck 134 on debut. It was a magical show and he made sure India got the desired foundation.
Ravindra Jadeja too hit a maiden ton to show his prowess. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara slammed striking fifties as India notched their biggest ever Test win.
India dominate against spirited Afghans
This result was achieved in the historic one-off Test between the two nations in June, 2018. India sealed the match by an innings and 262 runs. It was the best result prior to the win against West Indies. Afghanistan with all the buzz and talks, surrendered pretty meekly.
They were nowhere near to their limited-overs show. India managed 474 runs with openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan slamming tons. Dhawan in particular bragged with his record ton that set the tone for the match. Afghan bowlers led by Rashid Khan weren’t up to the mark as India targeted them.
While batting, the Afghans were bowled out for 109 and 103 runs respectively. It was rather an easy walk for the hosts in Hyderabad. Spinners Ashwin and Jadeja picked 11 wickets between them to hand India victory. The Afghans were cramped for space.
India tame the Tigers
The innings and 239 runs win for India came in Dhaka in 2007 when the side toured Bangladesh. It was 11 years ago when a star-studded Indian side was on top of their game. The top 4 were terrific and hit respective tons.
Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were all to the task and scored immensely to to guide India to a mammoth 610/3. That took the steam out from Bangladesh.
In reply, the hosts fell for 118 and 253 to hand India a tremendous victory.
Left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan and legendary Anil Kumble picked 12 wickets between them. India were hungry and carried on with the confidence that stemmed out from their batting.
Lankan army toppled in Nagpur
This was a victory similar to that of the win against Bangladesh in terms of performance and the stats. India won the match by an innings and 239 runs. Batting first in Nagpur in the 2nd Test match of the series in 2017, Sri Lanka managed a paltry 205.
R Ashwin and Jadeja were too hot to handle for the inexperienced Lankan line-up. The duo picked 7 wickets between them to do the damage. India then came out all guns blazing and managed a whopping 610/6 with 4 batsmen scoring tons.
Kohli stole the show after smashing a double century (213). That got the Lankans jaded in the field. Â And in reply, Lanka, in their 2nd innings, were bowled out for 166. They submitted to Ashwin’s craft.
When Azhar’s India dominated over Aussies
India bowled a visiting Australian side out for just 233 at the historical Eden Gardens in the 2nd Test of the series in 1998.
Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath and Sourav Ganguly picked 3 wickets each to help the side gain momentum. Remember, Ganguly was playing also as the 2nd pacer in the side.
Then India batted strongly with all top 6 batsmen scoring runs at will to declare at 633/5. Mohammed Azharuddin top scored with a valiant 163.
Australia were then dismissed for 181 as Kumble picked five wickets to run down the Aussies.
India see off Kiwis after Dravid special
India won this Test by an innings and 198 runs. It was another splendid show by the hosts in Nagpur in the year 2010 under MS Dhoni’s leadership. Ishant Sharma picked 4 wickets to see the Kiwis get bowled out for a paltry 193.
India’s top 4 were on fire, but the man of the moment was Rahul Dravid. The Wall dictated the show with a classy 191. India scored 566/8 to seize the momentum once again. And then the Kiwis were left with a lot in their platter.
They were bowled out for 175. Ishant was terrific yet again to pick 3/15.
India trounce familiar rivals Lanka
This victory was notched in India’s tour of Sri Lanka last year at Kandy. India sealed the 3rd Test by an innings and 171 runs. Dhawan amassed a special ton up the order with all-rounder Hardik Pandya prodding some blitz to amass his maiden ton to guide India to 487.
The Lankans were then pummelled by the visitors. In the first innings, Lanka were bowled out for just 135. Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked a dream 4/40 to bamboozle the hosts. Lankans while following-on, were shut down for 181 next. Ashwin was the star with 4/68.