In the 2nd Test between India and West Indies at Delhi, India looked on course for a dominant win after enforcing the follow-on, but the Windies offered a spirited fightback via a brilliant unbroken 138-run stand between John Campbell and Shai Hope.
Toss & Match Context
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
- Pitch assessment: The wicket looked good for batting initially, with minimal lateral movement expected. India would aim to pile up a large total to exert pressure.
- Context: India already led the 2-match series 1–0, so a win here would seal a clean sweep. West Indies needed something special to challenge the hosts.
1st Innings Batting — India & West Indies 2nd test
India 1st Innings
India posted a mammoth 518/5 declared.
Key contributions:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a big knock (175) before being run out.
- Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 129.
India declared to give themselves enough time to bowl out the West Indies twice.
West Indies 1st Innings
In reply, the Windies were bowled out for 248.
- Alick Athanaze made 41.
- Shai Hope gave a start (36).
- Indian spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav ran through the West Indies’ middle and lower order, taking 5/82.
- Ravindra Jadeja also supported with 3 wickets.
After this innings, India led by 270 runs and enforced the follow-on.
2nd Innings — West Indies’ Fightback 2nd test
West Indies began their second dig under heavy pressure. Early wickets made the target seem out of reach:
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell cheaply (≈10).
- Alick Athanaze was trapped lbw by Washington Sundar for 7.
At that point, WI were reeling at roughly 35/2.
Then came the revival: an unbroken 138-run partnership between John Campbell and Shai Hope that memorably frustrated the Indian bowlers.
- Campbell played with controlled aggression, hitting boundaries, sweeping, lofting when needed.
- Hope anchored with smart rotation of strike and timely aggression. It was Hope’s first Test fifty in 31 innings.
By stumps on Day 3, Windies were 173/2, trailing by 97 runs.
On Day 4, Campbell carried the fight forward and converted his effort into a magnificent 115 off 199 balls, before falling to Ravindra Jadeja via a reverse sweep LBW.
Hope remained unbeaten at 66 from their stand.
Though India remained favorites, the West Indies’ resurgence via this stand turned the tone and forced India to work harder for the win.
Full Scorecard (Both Innings)
Here is a detailed summary of the batting innings, key figures, and team totals:
| Innings | Team Score / Wickets | Notable Batting Contributions | Key Bowling / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| India 1st Innings (declared) | 518/5 d | Jaiswal 175, Gill 129* | — |
| West Indies 1st Innings | 248 all out | Athanaze 41, Hope 36 | Kuldeep 5/82, Jadeja 3/46 |
| India Lead | 270 runs | — | — |
| West Indies 2nd Innings | 173/2 (at stumps Day 3) | Campbell 87*, Hope 66* (unbroken 138) | — |
| Continuation Day 4 | 212/3 (at time of Campbell’s dismissal) | Campbell 115 (out), Hope 66* | Jadeja got Campbell; earlier dismissals: Siraj, Sundar etc. |
If break down more granularly (fall of wickets, extras, full bowling figures), you can upload or refer to the full ESPN Cricinfo scorecard.
Match Turning Points & Observations
- Kuldeep’s 5-wicket haul in the first innings established India’s dominance. His spin proved too much for the West Indies’ middle order.
- India’s decision to follow on impressed some and surprised others; West Indies spinner Khary Pierre even called it “a bit surprising.”
- Campbell–Hope Stand: That 138-run unbroken partnership became the spine of the Windies’ fightback and prevented an innings defeat.
- Pitch behavior: The track did not deteriorate as rapidly as some expected; flat patches allowed the batters to counterattack.
- Mental resilience: Hope’s fifty after a long lean patch and Campbell’s composed aggression signified character under pressure.
