West Indies crumble again; Indian spinners take charge in front of legends

Shai Hope looked positive in his brief stay, while Tevin Imlach batted with composure as the day wound down. West Indies were at 140-4, trailing by 378 runs at stumps on Day 2

In the presence of West Indian greats Brian Lara, Viv Richards, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the visiting side’s batting once again faltered — this time on Day 2 of the Delhi Test — echoing their struggles from the first match of the series.

 

On a pitch that offered no demons, the collapse was less about the surface and more about the visitors’ frailties. The Arun Jaitley Stadium wicket looked good for batting, but the West Indian batters’ technique and temperament were found wanting against India’s spin trio led by Ravindra Jadeja. 

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Gill declares, Jadeja strikes early

 

When Shubman Gill declared India’s innings after Dhruv Jurel was bowled in the second session, the surface appeared docile. Yet, within minutes, India found an opening.

 

John Campbell, attempting an aggressive sweep off Ravindra Jadeja, found Sai Sudharsan at short leg. The ball thudded into Sudharsan’s right knuckle before sticking in his grasp — a moment of reflex rather than technique that left the batter stunned.

 

While Campbell’s dismissal looked freakish, it carried an element of fortune. Normally, a fielder at short leg drops low to evade impact, but Sudharsan instinctively went upright and turned sideways, inadvertently presenting his hand in the ball’s path.

 

India’s fielding coach R Sridhar had been working closely with Sudharsan on close-in catching during practice sessions, and this moment reflected both training and tenacity.

 

Fightback led by Chanderpaul and Athanaze

 

Following the early setback, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze steadied the innings, putting on a determined 66-run stand for the second wicket. The pair used their feet well against the Indian spinners — Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar — and showed improved defensive awareness.

 

Tagenarine’s confident six off Jadeja down the ground even drew applause from his father, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who watched proudly from the stands. Both batters looked prepared for the grind, unsettling the bowlers with calculated aggression and crisp footwork.

 

Collapse from 87 for 1 to 107 for 4

 

Just as West Indies appeared to have settled, another moment of indecision triggered their downfall. Chanderpaul’s dismissal opened the floodgates — the visitors slid from 87 for 1 to 107 for 4, surrendering the advantage yet again.

 

Shai Hope looked positive in his brief stay, while Tevin Imlach batted with composure as the day wound down. Despite the slump, there were still runs on offer, and the West Indies will hope for a more resilient batting display on Day 3.

 

India hold the edge

 

For India, the formula remains the same — patience and precision. With spinners extracting just enough assistance, Gill’s men will aim to tighten the screws, knowing that another West Indian collapse is always around the corner.

 

Play resumes at 9:30 am on Day 3, with India firmly in command and the visitors once again battling familiar demons — both technical and mental.

  India innings  Shubman Gill underlined his growing stature as captain and batter, cruising to his 10th Test century before declaring India’s innings at an imposing 518 for five, one hour into the post-lunch session on Day 2 of the second Test. 

By the tea interval, the visitors were 26 for 1 in 11 overs, with John Campbell dismissed after a mistimed sweep off Ravindra Jadeja ballooned towards Sai Sudharsan at short leg. The fielder, more in self-defence than anticipation, took a sharp catch that deflected off his knuckle, stunning the batter and drawing applause from the Delhi crowd. 

Gill chooses team over milestones

 

With Dhruv Jurel (44 off 79) falling to Roston Chase while attempting a pull, India had the chance to stretch their total further. However, Gill — unbeaten on 129 off 196 balls with 16 fours and two sixes — chose to prioritise team strategy over personal glory.

 

There was ample time for the skipper to push for a double century, but he decided against it. Chasing records against a depleted attack, he knew, would mean little. Around an hour into the second session, Gill received the signal from the dressing room — it was time to declare and give the West Indies batters an awkward hour before tea.

 

India, having started the day at 318 for 2, added exactly 200 runs in 44.2 overs, showing intent and control throughout the session.

 

A captain in control

 

Gill’s century came via a deft cut shot off Khary Pierre for three runs — his fifth ton in the last seven Tests, to go with a fifty in the previous match. The innings reinforced that captaincy has only sharpened, not subdued, the batter in him.

 

Even after the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal (175) — run-out in the morning following a mix-up — Gill remained composed. His ability to dictate the tempo stood out: he lifted the ball over the field when the infield closed in, and when Chase spread his off-side field, Gill rotated strike with singles and doubles through the gaps. 

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He shared an enterprising 91-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy (43 off 54), who was promoted up the order to gain valuable batting time. Their stand, coming off just 17.1 overs, gave India the momentum to press for a declaration.

 

Flurry of strokes and flawless execution

 

The shot of the morning belonged to Gill — a graceful flick off Jayden Seales through mid-wicket that brought up his second fifty of the series. Later, when Justin Greaves came into the attack, his lack of pace was ruthlessly exposed. Gill stepped out and lofted him over mid-wicket for his first six of the innings.

 

The captain’s intent was evident from the outset. Having defended resolutely on the first evening, he arrived on Day 2 with a more aggressive mindset. With Anderson Phillip erratic and spraying deliveries on both sides of the wicket, Gill cashed in — flicking on the pads, cutting square, and driving on the up. When the wicketkeeper came up to the stumps with a packed off-side field, Gill responded by skipping down the track to loft one over extra cover.

 

 

Early drama as Jaiswal falls short of double

 

Resuming on 175, Jaiswal appeared destined to convert yet another hundred into a double before a misunderstanding with his skipper ended his stay. Driving Jayden Seales wide of mid-off, Jaiswal called for a quick single, but Gill hesitated, leaving him stranded halfway down the pitch. The throw from the deep reached Tevin Imlach, who dislodged the bails despite a momentary fumble.

 

It was a tame end to a majestic innings — his first dismissal between 100 and 200 at home. The crowd, which had been anticipating another milestone, watched in disbelief as Jaiswal walked back, dejected.

 

Reddy shines briefly before gifting his wicket

 

Coming in at No. 5, Nitish Kumar Reddy looked determined to seize his chance. He counter-attacked confidently, hitting four fours and two sixes in his 43-ball stay, and formed a brisk 91-run partnership with Gill.

 

However, Reddy’s intent proved his undoing. After surviving a drop at mid-off by Anderson Phillip off Jomel Warrican, he tried to clear long-on again and was caught attempting another big hit. 

 

Reddy’s innings was a mix of promise and impatience — strong off the back foot but often aerial when control was required. His approach reflected the confidence of youth, though not yet the discipline of Test match temperament.