In a commanding performance, India secured a decisive seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test held at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, completing a spectacular 2-0 series clean sweep. This triumph marks a significant milestone for young captain Shubman Gill, who celebrated his first Test series win at the helm.
The hosts successfully chased their target of 121 runs on day five, largely thanks to KL Rahul’s calm and unbeaten 58. India began the final day at 63/1, but West Indies captain Roston Chase managed to pick up two quick wickets, dismissing Sai Sudharsan for 39 and Shubman Gill for 13. However, Rahul held his nerve, eventually sealing the match with a well-struck boundary.
India’s bowling attack was led admirably by Kuldeep Yadav, who was the standout performer with eight wickets in the match, including an impressive five-wicket haul in the first innings. He concluded the series as India’s top wicket-taker with 12 scalps. Pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj also shone, adding 10 wickets to his tally, making him India’s leading wicket-taker this year with 37 wickets in eight matches.
This series victory is a testament to India’s successful transition under the 26-year-old Gill’s leadership, especially after the retirements of cricketing legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India had previously dominated the first Test, winning by an innings and 140 runs, setting the tone for the clean sweep.
Reflecting on his maiden Test series win as captain, Shubman Gill expressed his immense pride: “It’s a big honour. It’s a really big honour; I’m kind of getting used to it. Managing all the players, leading this team is a great honour. It’s about taking the right options in the given situation. I try to make the most probable decision in the given situation that we are in that game. And sometimes you have to take a bold decision, depending on which player can get you certain runs or can get you those wickets.”
India’s batting prowess was on full display in their first innings, where they declared at a formidable 518/5. Highlights included Yashasvi Jaiswal’s brilliant 175 and Gill’s own unbeaten 129. The West Indies bowlers, weakened by the absence of injured pacers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, found it challenging to contain the rampant Indian batters.
Despite facing an uphill battle, the West Indies showed commendable resilience in their second innings after being forced to follow on. A remarkable 177-run partnership between John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) on a slow pitch offered significant resistance. Gill explained the decision to enforce the follow-on: “We were around 300 runs ahead. We thought even if we scored like 500 runs and we have to get 6 or 7 wickets on day 5, it could be a tough day for us. So, that was the thought process.”
The fighting spirit of the visitors was further exemplified by Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales, who frustrated India with an impressive 79-run partnership for the final wicket, pushing the match into its final day. Greaves remained unbeaten on 50, while Seales contributed 32 valuable runs.
The West Indies’ first innings had concluded at 248, leaving them 270 runs behind India’s total. While ultimately losing the series, their improved batting performance in the second innings offers a glimpse of promise for a team striving to regain its past glory. This defeat marks their second consecutive Test series whitewash, following a 3-0 loss to Australia at home.