Updated WTC 2025 Table: India Stay Third After Innings Win Over West Indies
India crush West Indies by an innings and 140 runs but remain third in the WTC standings.
India wrapped up a commanding innings and 140-run victory over the West Indies in the opening Test of their four-match series at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, showcasing their all-round prowess on a pitch that evolved dramatically over three days. Captain Shubman Gill's declaration at 448 for 5 on Day 2 set the stage for a clinical demolition, as the hosts enforced the follow-on after bundling out the visitors for 162 in their first innings. Ravindra Jadeja starred with an unbeaten 110 in the Indian batting effort and followed it up with match figures of 7 for 95, including 4 for 54 in the second innings, to seal the win inside three days. This triumph marks India's third consecutive home Test victory in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, underlining their strength on familiar turf.
The match highlighted India's depth across disciplines, with Mohammed Siraj emerging as a key architect of the collapse. Siraj claimed 7 for 71 overall, exploiting a lively Day 1 surface to dismantle the West Indies top order with 4 for 40 in the first innings and adding 3 for 31 later. Jasprit Bumrah complemented the attack with 3 for 42, swinging the new ball menacingly to leave the tourists reeling at 86 for 6 early on. Batting first after winning the toss, West Indies struggled against the seam movement, with only Kirk McKenzie (39) and Gudakesh Motie (48) offering resistance. India's first innings featured gritty contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal (57) and a fluent 70 from Gill, but it was Jadeja's resilience that propelled them to a 286-run lead, turning the contest into a procession.
On a flattening pitch by Day 3, West Indies' second innings crumbled under pressure, folding for 146 in 45.1 overs despite a fighting 46 from Joshua da Silva. The Caribbean side's inability to adapt to varying conditions—seamer-friendly early, then batsman-dominant—exposed their ongoing woes in the format. This loss extends West Indies' dismal run in the WTC 2023-25 cycle, where they have now suffered four defeats from as many matches, slipping to sixth in the standings with a points percentage (PCT) of just 12.50. For India, the result boosts morale ahead of the remaining home series against Bangladesh and Australia, but their PCT remains at 55.56, keeping them rooted in third place behind leaders Australia (68.33) and Sri Lanka (57.14).
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The WTC table reflects the cycle's competitive landscape, with 12 teams vying for a spot in the June 2025 final at Lord's. India's steady position underscores the importance of consistency in their remaining eight tests, including tough away assignments in Australia and England. While the victory provides a strong start to the home season, selector Ajit Agarkar emphasised post-match the need for sustained performance to close the gap on the frontrunners. The West Indies, under new captain Kraigg Brathwaite, face an uphill battle in the next Test in Kolkata starting October 11, where they must regroup to salvage pride and points.
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