Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 11: Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav combined to snatch four key wickets and push India firmly into control on day two of the second Test against West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The visitors stumbled to 140/4 in 43 overs at stumps, still trailing by a daunting 378 runs after India posted a mammoth 518/5 declared.
Despite a fighting unbeaten 31 from Shai Hope, West Indies collapsed from 87/1 to 107/4 in a familiar lapse of concentration that has haunted them throughout the series. Jadeja (3/37) was once again the chief tormentor, supported ably by Kuldeep (1/45), as India's spinners tightened the screws under fading light.
The day began in India's favour with a commanding first-innings performance anchored by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (175) and Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 129. Their fluent partnership and clinical strokeplay flattened the West Indies bowling attack, with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (3/98) being the only standout among the visitors.
When the West Indies came out to bat, openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze showed some resistance, playing out four consecutive maiden overs and not looking troubled. Athanaze, in particular, took the attack to Kuldeep Yadav with a flurry of attacking shots, including a six and three fours. Chanderpaul also showed glimpses of confidence with timely boundaries off Jadeja.
The duo stitched together a 66-run stand — West Indies’ first fifty partnership of the series — before Jadeja struck. A delivery that stopped on Chanderpaul took the edge and was caught by a juggling KL Rahul at slip. Athanaze soon followed, miscuing a slower ball from Kuldeep to mid-wicket for 41.
The momentum shifted completely when Jadeja dismissed skipper Roston Chase for a simple return catch. West Indies were suddenly wobbling, and though Shai Hope countered with some classy drives and five crisp boundaries, the damage had been done.
Hope and Tevin Imlach (14 not out) managed to bat out the remainder of the day without further damage, but India ended the day on top — with their spinners in rhythm and the pitch beginning to assist turn and variable bounce.
As day three looms, India will look to press for a sizeable lead and possibly a quick wrap-up of the West Indies innings, keeping their foot firmly on the pedal in this dominant Test performance.
Brief Scores:
India: 518/5 decl in 134.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 175, Shubman Gill 129*; Jomel Warrican 3/98)
West Indies: 140/4 in 43 overs (Shai Hope 31*, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 34; Ravindra Jadeja 3/37, Kuldeep Yadav 1/45)
India lead by 378 runs.