The West Indies picked up their first victory of the World Test Championship in one of the most unlikely places, India's Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
India won the toss and elected to bat on a damp surface that wasnt expected to last 5 days. Virender Sehwag led the way for India making 95 with other fifties coming from Tendulkar and Kohli as India were all out for 377. Lance Gibbs was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 59 with debutant Wes Hall bowling well and taking 3 for 72.
The West Indies first 2 partnerships both made over 100 runs each and they were 220 for 2 when Greenidge fell for 93. Viv Richards hit 77 and Everton Weekes 62 as the West Indies were bowled out for 406, a slight first innings lead of 29. Ravindra Jadeja took 4 for 74 for India and spin was increasingly expected to play a big part in deciding the result of the game.
The wicket at the Pavillion end was starting to break up during the 4th day and off spinner Lance Gibbs took full advantage. He bowled beautifully taking 7 for 45 in 29 overs as India collapsed from 122 for 5 to 180 all out. Virat Kohli scored a very important 50 and helped India set a total of 152 to win on the 5th day.
The demons in the wicket during Indias innings were no longer apparent and the West Indies took a relatively comfortable victory, knocking off the runs in just 53 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Everton Weekes hit 49 and Brian Lara made 46 not out, while Clyde Walcott made 43 in his first game of the tournament to help the West Indies home.
India missed Anil Kumble through injury and the West Indies were without Malcolm Marshall. Kumble may have been a key factor and a player more likely to exploit the conditions like Gibbs had done. The West Indies were worthy winners however and Lance Gibbs the clear man of the match.
India are at home again next as they take on New Zealand, while the West Indies also return home to face Sri Lanka.
India 1st Innings 377-10 (122.1 Ov)
V Sehwag 95, SR Tendulkar 61, V Kohli 56, LR Gibbs 4-59, WW Hall 3-72, AME Roberts 2-42
West Indies 1st Innings 406-10 (133.3 Ov)
CG Greenidge 93, IVA Richards 77, ED Weekes 62, RA Jadeja 4-74, R Ashwin 3-106, Kapil Dev 2-56
India 2nd Innings 180-10 (76 Ov)
V Kohli 50, RA Jadeja 28, JJ Bumrah 27*, LR Gibbs 7-45
West Indies 2nd Innings 152-4 (53.3 Ov)
ED Weekes 49, BC Lara 46*, CL Walcott 43, JJ Bumrah 2-26
West Indies win by 6 wickets
Man of the Match: LR Gibbs
Lance Gibbs took 11 wickets in the match, including 7 for 45 in India's 2nd innings to set up a fantastic 5th day victory for the West Indies
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