Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 13: What looked like a walk in the park for India turned into a prolonged Test of resilience as West Indies, against all odds, dragged the second Test into a fifth day with a gritty second innings display at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. After enforcing the follow-on, India were made to field for 200 overs across two days, but still ended day four in a strong position, needing just 58 more runs to complete a 2–0 series win.
Chasing a modest target of 121, India reached 63/1 in 18 overs, with B Sai Sudharsan (30) and KL Rahul (25)** steering the innings safely after the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo ensured no late setbacks, calmly playing out the final session on Sunday.
But the real story of the day — and perhaps the match — was the West Indies’ spirited comeback, led by John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103), whose 177-run partnership for the third wicket transformed the game from a near-certain Indian win to a gritty exhibition of Test match defiance.
West Indies Dig Deep After Follow-On
After being asked to follow on following a first-innings total of 248 — still 270 behind India’s 518/5 declared — the visitors were expected to fold quickly. But they came back fighting, with Campbell and Hope showing composure, intent, and patience rarely seen in recent Caribbean Test performances.
Campbell, in particular, made the moment count — scoring his maiden Test century in his 50th innings, bringing it up with a towering slog-sweep off Ravindra Jadeja. Hope, meanwhile, ended his eight-year wait for a second Test ton with a calm and collected innings under pressure.
India’s bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah (3/44) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/104), had to work hard under searing Delhi sunshine. The bowling unit appeared to have regained control after reducing West Indies from 293/4 to 311/9, but were held at bay again by the last-wicket pair of Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales, who batted for 25.2 overs, adding 79 runs.
Greaves remained unbeaten on 50, showing composure and grit, while Seales added a crucial 32 before finally falling to Bumrah, caught at deep square leg — ending West Indies’ innings at 390 in 118.5 overs.
India's Chase Starts Positively, Despite Early Wobble
Set 121 to win, India began briskly with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting two boundaries in the opening over, but his attempt to loft Jomel Warrican over long-on ended in a simple catch. The setback didn’t shake the chase as Rahul and Sudharsan navigated the remaining overs without alarms.
Sudharsan, making only his second Test appearance, looked assured against both pace and spin, driving fluently and finding gaps through the off-side. Rahul, more cautious initially, opened up with signature flicks off his pads, ensuring India stayed well ahead.
India’s Bowling Effort Tested to the Limit
Earlier in the day, India were made to toil. After a steady first session where Campbell and Hope moved from strength to strength, it took an inspired drinks-break team talk by stand-in skipper KL Rahul to spark a turnaround. Jadeja trapped Campbell lbw with a quicker one, and Siraj eventually had Hope chopping onto his stumps.
Kuldeep struck twice in quick succession, removing Roston Chase and Khary Pierre, before Bumrah cleaned up the tail. Yet it was the stubborn last-wicket stand that delayed India's celebrations and served a reminder of the unpredictability of Test cricket.
A Tale of Test Cricket's Enduring Drama
The day summed up the very best of the longest format — a contest where plans were tested, patience was paramount, and pride was on display. For India, while the win is all but certain, the lessons in perseverance and respect for the opposition’s fight would not go unnoticed.
As both teams return for the final day, the odds remain heavily in India’s favour. But the match, stretched unexpectedly to a fifth day, has already offered a gripping spectacle of Test cricket's enduring drama.
Brief Scores:
• India: 518/5 decl. & 63/1 in 18 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 30*, KL Rahul 25*, Jomel Warrican 1-15)
• West Indies: 248 & 390 in 118.5 overs (John Campbell 115, Shai Hope 103, Justin Greaves 50*; Jasprit Bumrah 3-44, Kuldeep Yadav 3-104)
• India need 58 more runs to win with 9 wickets in hand.