The two-match Test series between West Indies and India came to an end with the second and final match concluding in a draw in Trinidad. The hosts, 76/2 at Stumps on Day 4, needed 289 runs to level the series. However, persistent rain that started overnight and continued into Monday played spoilsport, bringing a damp end to the game. As a result, the tourists, led by Rohit Sharma, managed to seal the series 1-0, having convincingly won the opening Test by an innings and 141 runs in Dominica.
The disappointment for West Indies fans continued, as they have not witnessed a Test cricket victory against India for quite some time. The last time West Indies defeated India in Test cricket was a staggering 21 years ago, in 2002. The memorable victory came under the inspirational leadership of Guyanese star Carl Hooper, when the Caribbeans secured a historic series win against India, clinching the fifth Test at Kingston by 155 runs.
In that decisive Test, India won the toss and chose to field, a decision that didn’t favor them as the hosts posted a mammoth total of 422 runs in their first innings. Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds gave West Indies a flying start with a formidable 111-run opening partnership before Zaheer Khan dismissed Gayle for 68. Hinds went on to score a brilliant century, amassing 113 runs, while Ramnaresh Sarwan contributed a solid 65 to the total. Although the Windies lost Brian Lara (9) and Hooper (17) cheaply, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (58) and Ridley Jacobs (59) frustrated the Indian bowlers, further bolstering the home team’s lead.
In response, India faltered and was bundled out for a mere 212 runs, with VVS Laxman top-scoring with an unbeaten 65. However, the Indian bowlers made a strong comeback in the second innings, restricting West Indies to 197 runs. Harbhajan Singh, who bagged a 5-wicket haul in the first innings, continued his stellar performance by taking three wickets in the second, completing an impressive 8-wicket haul in the match.
With a challenging target of 408 runs to chase, the Indian batting unit faced an uphill battle. Sachin Tendulkar displayed his class with a sensational 86, but the rest of the batters failed to support him, leading to India’s downfall. The touring party was eventually bowled out for 252 runs, handing West Indies a historic victory by 155 runs.
Here is the playing XI of West Indies when they last beat India in Test cricket: Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Carl Hooper (c), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs (wk), Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Adam Sanford, Cameron Cuffy
