Former Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised West Indies for their excellent performance in the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand. The 39-year-old cricketer said that West Indies is a talented team that is capable of thrilling and frustrating its supporters in equal measure.
West Indies performed brilliantly in the fourth innings while chasing the target of 531 runs at Hagley Oval. Shai Hope and Justin Greaves saved the team after the initial wicket fell. He scored centuries and took the team to a draw. His fightback helped the team earn points in the World Test Championship.
They are a very talented cricket nation – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that West Indies were able to show immense courage in being bowled out for 37 runs, winning the pink-ball Test at Gabba, chasing the target at Headingley and chasing the target of 530 runs in Christchurch.
Ashwin wrote, “This is a team that can be all out for 37, win a pink-ball Test match at the Gabba, chase 320 to win at Headingley and now chase 530 with some solid character in Christchurch. They are a talented cricket nation that can excite and frustrate fans in equal measure.”
This is a team that can be all out for 37, win a pink-ball Test match at the Gabba, chase 320 to win at Headingley and now chase 530 with some solid character in Christchurch.#vivanz
They are a talented cricket playing nation who can excite and… pic.twitter.com/3KPxPCYxwo
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 6 December 2025
West Indies secure draw after early collapse in Christchurch
West Indies bowled out New Zealand for 237 runs but lost its first innings from 100-2 to 167 runs. After this, Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra scored centuries and the host team declared the innings at 466-8.
The visitors were reduced to 72-4 and were on the verge of another WTC defeat. Shai Hope revived the innings with Justin Greaves making a 196-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Hope’s early dismissal on the fifth day and the subsequent wicket of Tevin Imlach put the visitors under pressure again.
Greaves and Kemar Roach then showed remarkable resilience and batted over 400 balls to draw the match. Greaves played his career-best innings and remained unbeaten on 202, while Roach made 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 pair for their match-saving heroics. He described Justin Greaves’ innings as a once in a lifetime performance and said that Kemar Roach also played an important role in the partnership.
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. Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz.”
Today happens only once in a lifetime and it is that day for “Justin Greaves”.
Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort
Furthermore, Shai Hope performed remarkably with the bat in both the innings
extraordinary day for @windiescricket #vivanz pic.twitter.com/4skhfByeyQ
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 6 December 2025
The Men in Maroon scored the second highest score in the fourth innings 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 without a defeat in New Zealand since 2013.
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