In a Test series largely dominated by India, West Indies opener John Campbell emerged as a beacon of resilience on Day 4 of the 2nd Test in Delhi, crafting a truly remarkable maiden Test century.
His innings was a brilliant display of both patience and power, culminating in 115 runs off 199 balls, adorned with 12 fours and 3 sixes. His spirited knock eventually concluded when he was dismissed leg before wicket by Ravindra Jadeja in the 64th over.
Campbell’s century was met with a well-deserved standing ovation from the West Indies camp, a clear acknowledgment of the immense effort and fighting spirit he showcased against a formidable Indian attack. This was especially poignant as India had enforced the follow-on on Sunday after dismissing the visitors for a modest 248.
At the time of his dismissal, the West Indies stood at 212/3, with captain Roston Chase joining the middle order to continue the fight.
This innings carried profound historical significance. Campbell is the first West Indies opener to notch a Test hundred in India in 23 years, a milestone last achieved by Wavell Hinds’ 100 at Eden Gardens way back in 2002. Furthermore, he’s the first West Indies opener to reach a Test hundred against India since Daren Ganga’s 135 in Basseterre in 2006.
He now joins an exclusive club of batters who have scored their maiden Test century in Delhi, a list that includes cricketing legends like Viv Richards and Kapil Dev. Remarkably, no other Indian venue has witnessed as many maiden Test centuries, with six by West Indies batters alone, contributing to a total of 17 at this ground.
Campbell’s exceptional milestone also places him among an elite group of West Indies batters who have celebrated their maiden Test hundred by hitting a six. This esteemed list includes names like Collins King, Robert Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, and Shane Dowrich.
Interestingly, it took Campbell 48 innings as an opener to reach this landmark, making him second only to Trevor Goddard’s 58 innings among West Indies openers.
While India grappled to break the resilient partnership for much of the session, Ravindra Jadeja’s pivotal lbw dismissal of Campbell provided the hosts with a crucial breakthrough in a match where the West Indies have showcased remarkable resistance since being asked to follow on. Campbell’s century truly stands as a record-laden innings, a testament to his personal achievement and the unyielding spirit of the West Indies in an otherwise dominant series for India.