The ICC has penalized Windsor Park in Roseau for failing to meet pitch standards in the first Test between India and West Indies, which began on July 12, 2023.
Match referee Jeff Crowe expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch, leading to a quick conclusion of the match and a ‘below average’ rating. Cricket West Indies can choose to challenge this decision if they wish.
Furthermore, the pitch at Queen’s Park Oval in Jamaica, used for the second Test of the series, received an ‘average’ rating from the ICC. The match ended in a draw due to heavy rain on the final day.
India was just eight wickets away from achieving a whitewash but had to settle for a 1-0 series lead. This series represented the inaugural participation of both teams in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
India dominated the first Windsor Park Test, winning by an innings and 141 runs
India, after their inaugural Test at this venue in 2011, made a comeback after 12 years. The first Test of the series was also the venue’s first time hosting a Test since 2017.
The visitors restricted West Indies to a mere 150 runs in the first innings, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming a five-wicket haul. In his debut, Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed with a remarkable 171 runs, while captain Rohit Sharma also achieved a century.
Adding to the strong batting performance, Virat Kohli contributed with a half-century, leading Team India to declare at 421-5. In response, West Indies struggled, managing only 130 runs in their second innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin shone with seven wickets in the second innings, bringing his total match wicket count to 12. After the Test series, India and West Indies also competed in white-ball formats.
India secured a 2-1 victory in the ODI series, while West Indies achieved their first series win over India since 2006 with a 3-2 score in the five-match T20I series.
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