Ravichandran Ashwin hails West Indies after fourth-innings fightback in 1st Test vs New Zealand

Former Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised the West Indies for their gritty performance in the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand. The 39-year-old cricketer said the West Indies remain a talented side capable of thrilling and frustrating their supporters in equal measure.

The West Indies produced a remarkable fourth-innings performance at Hagley Oval while chasing a 531-run target. Shai Hope and Justin Greaves rescued the team after early wickets. They scored centuries and guided the side to a draw. Their fightback helped the team earn points in the World Test Championship.

They Are Such a Talented Cricketing Nation - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin said that the West Indies are capable of collapsing for 37, winning a pink-ball Test at the Gabba, pulling off a chase at Headingley, and showing immense grit while surviving a 530-run target in Christchurch.

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"This is a team that can get all out for 37, win a pink ball test match at the Gabba, chase down 320 odd for a win at the Headingley and now tracking down 530 with some solid character at Christchurch.👌👌#wivnz They are such a talented cricketing nation that can excite and disappoint fans in equal measures," Ashwin wrote.

This is a team that can get all out for 37, win a pink ball test match at the Gabba, chase down 320 odd for a win at the Headingley and now tracking down 530 with some solid character at Christchurch.👌👌#wivnz

They are such a talented cricketing nation that can excite and… pic.twitter.com/3KPxPCYxwo

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 6, 2025

West Indies Secure Draw After Early Collapse in Christchurch

The West Indies dismissed New Zealand for 237 but collapsed from 100-2 to 167 all out in their first innings. Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra then scored centuries as the hosts declared at 466-8.

The visitors collapsed to 72-4 and were on the brink of another WTC defeat. Shai Hope revived the innings with a 196-run stand for the fifth wicket with Justin Greaves. However, Hope’s dismissal early on Day 5, followed by Tevin Imlach’s wicket, put the visitors under pressure again.

Greaves and Kemar Roach then showed remarkable resilience, batting for more than 400 balls to secure a draw. Greaves produced the best knock of his career, remaining unbeaten on 202, while Roach scored a gritty 58. Their unbroken 180-run partnership for the seventh wicket took West Indies to 457/6 at stumps.

Only Once in a Lifetime for Justin Greaves - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin praised the West Indies duo for their match-saving heroics. He called Justin Greaves’ knock a once-in-a-lifetime performance and added that Kemar Roach also played a crucial role in the partnership.

“Today happens only once in a lifetime and it’s that day for “Justin Greaves”. Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort👏👏 Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz,” Ashwin wrote.

Today happens only once in a lifetime and it’s that day for “Justin Greaves”.

Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort👏👏

Also, Shai Hope was remarkable with the bat in both the innings ✅

Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz pic.twitter.com/4skhfByeyQ

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 6, 2025

The Men in Maroon posted the second-highest fourth-innings total in Test cricket, surpassing New Zealand’s 451 against England at the same venue in 2002. The draw also ended a long drought for the Caribbean side, recording their first Test in New Zealand without defeat since 2013.

Also read: "Jasprit Bumrah ko lene ke liye bhi akal hona chahiye na" - Ravi Shastri takes a dig at Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar