India is on the verge of securing a decisive victory and completing a 2-0 series sweep in the final Test against the West Indies on Monday. The hosts faced a tough challenge, however, as the visitors showed strong resistance, thanks to centuries from John Campbell and Shai Hope.
Set a target of 121 for victory, India reached 63-1 by stumps. The West Indies can take heart from pushing the match to a final-day finish after being forced to follow on.
B Sai Sudharsan (30) and KL Rahul (25) were at the crease for India, needing just 58 more runs to clinch the win.
“They capitalized on their opportunities, and once the field spread out, they played sensibly,” said Washington Sundar, India’s spin-bowling all-rounder, to reporters.
“Our focus was on being patient and delivering as many quality balls as possible, regardless of the situation.”
After suffering a three-day defeat in the first Test in Ahmedabad, West Indies were asked to follow on in Delhi, having been bowled out for 248 in response to India’s 518-5 declared.
In their second innings, they displayed significant improvement, posting 390 before being bowled out in Monday’s final session.
Campbell (115) and Hope (103) led the resurgence, forming a 177-run partnership for the third wicket, avoiding another innings defeat.
Campbell had a tense moment before reaching his maiden Test century when he was initially given out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja.
Upon review, the decision was overturned as replays showed he edged the ball before it hit his pad.
Campbell celebrated his hundred by hitting a six off the left-arm spinner.
Jadeja eventually dismissed Campbell lbw, ending his patient innings, which featured three sixes and 12 fours.
Hope’s steady innings concluded when he chopped a delivery from Mohammed Siraj onto his stumps.
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a three-wicket burst that shook West Indies, taking out Roston Chase (40) and Khary Pierre in one over.
The West Indies tail still had some fight left.
Justin Greaves, unbeaten on 50, and Jayden Seales (32) frustrated India with a 79-run last-wicket stand.
India’s pace leader Jasprit Bumrah captured three lower-order wickets on a pitch that offered little for seamers.
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal seemed eager to finish the match, hitting Seales for two fours in the first over.
However, he fell for eight after stepping out against spinner Jomel Warrican, only to be caught in the deep.
“I can’t really express it now,” said Campbell of his first Test hundred. “Maybe tomorrow I’ll find the words.
“As a batsman, once you settle here, it gets easier. I still went for my shots; it was just about being more selective.”
