Gavaskar's first Test tour proved a memorable one
India achieved one of the greatest results in their history as a superlative individual performance by batsman Sunil Gavaskar helped them to their first, and so far only, series success in the Caribbean.
Gavaskar began the tour as reserve opener but ended it with 774 runs in eight Test innings at an average of 154.8, including a double century and three other hundreds.
India's decisive success was achieved in the second match in Trinidad where Gavaskar made his Test debut and the tourists came out on top by seven wickets despite one of the best bowling performances of all time by off-spinner Jack Noreiga.
He claimed nine for 95 in India's first innings, but West Indies were unable to retrieve the situation after being dismissed for just 214 on the opening day.
Venkat strikes
Dilip Sardesai followed his 212 in the first game at Kingston with a score of 112 and a patient 65 by Gavaskar in his maiden Test innings helped India to a lead of 138.
Although West Indies batted better in their second innings, Srinivas Venkataraghavan took five for 95 and the tourists found the task of scoring 124 for victory relatively straightforward.
The third match in Guyana was dominated by the batsman with new West Indies wicket-keeper Desmond Lewis marking his debut with an unbeaten 81, which was followed by Gavaskar's 116 on the third day.
India led by 14 on first innings but Charlie Davis (127) and Gary Sobers (108) shared an unbroken stand of 170 as the home side replied with 307 for three declared.
Set an impossible target of 295 for victory, the tourists finished on 123 for nought.
Big scores
Another flat pitch for the fourth Test in Barbados produced the same result with West Indies lacking the penetration to press home their advantage after making 501 for five declared, which featured an unbeaten 178 by Sobers and half centuries for Lewis, Rohan Kanhai and Davis.
India were 70 for six as pace bowler Uton Dowe took four for 69 but Sardesai, who made 642 runs in the series, saved the follow-on with 150 and there was no chance of a positive result thereafter, although Gavaskar made 117 not out in India's second innings.
The series ended on an even higher note for Gavaskar as the teams returned to Trinidad and he produced scores of 124 and 220.
Davis (105) and Sobers (132) maintained their excellent form, but West Indies almost slumped to defeat on the final day.
Medium pacer Syed Abid Ali picked up three wickets as they struggled to 50 for four, but Clive Lloyd's 64 enable his side to reach the close on 165 for eight.