Kuldeep Yadav’s artistry flattens West Indies, but John Campbell-Shai Hope rescue stand delays India’s charge

John Campbell's unbeaten 87 and Shai Hope's 66 led West Indies' strong resistance on day three, reaching 173 for two after being forced to follow on. Despite trailing by 97 runs, their unbroken 138-run partnership offered a glimmer of hope against India's bowlers, who were earlier stifled by Kuldeep Yadav's five-wicket haul.

India's Kuldeep Yadav, left, celebrates the dismissal of West Indies' Justin Greaves with teammates . (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

John Campbell's unbeaten 87 and Shai Hope's 66 helped West Indies mount a strong resistance against India on day three of the second Test in New Delhi on Saturday. After being forced to follow on, the duo's unbroken 138-run partnership helped West Indies reach 173 for two at stumps, though they still trail by 97 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Earlier in the day, Kuldeep Yadav claimed his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket, taking 5/82 to help bundle out West Indies for 248 in their first innings. The visitors started the day at 140 for 4.

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Campbell and Hope's half-centuries marked the only fifty-plus scores by West Indies batsmen in this series so far. Despite India's victory seeming inevitable, their counter-attacking partnership has provided some confidence ahead of West Indies' upcoming New Zealand tour. The day began with Kuldeep producing a spectacular delivery to dismiss Hope for 36 in the first innings. The spinner adjusted his bowling arm angle and bowled a quicker ball with drift that beat Hope's outside edge to hit the off-stump. Following Hope's dismissal, West Indies' first innings quickly unraveled. Tevin Imlach was trapped leg-before for 21, while Justin Greaves fell for 17 attempting reverse sweeps. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah helped clean up the tail, though Kharry Pierre (23) and Anderson Phillip (24) provided some resistance with a 46-run partnership for the ninth wicket. After being asked to follow on, West Indies initially struggled, reaching 35 for 2 at tea. However, Campbell changed tactics afterward, taking an aggressive approach against spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep. The pitch, while keeping low occasionally, didn't offer significant deterioration, making batting manageable. Hope gained confidence from Campbell's attacking play, and both batsmen effectively handled the Indian spinners. Indian captain Shubman Gill was forced to implement an "in-out" field setting as the boundaries flowed. Kuldeep's defensive field placement, including long-on, deep extra cover, and deep square leg, reflected a change from his first-innings dominance. The surface offered little assistance to the spinners, who had to rely more on shoulder power to generate zip. After bowling 81.5 overs, fatigue became evident in their performance. Hope struck eight fours and two sixes in his innings, while Campbell hit nine boundaries and two sixes. Their performance has given head coach Darren Sammy hope that some players can still perform purposefully at this level. The West Indies batsmen played confidently off the back foot against the spinners. This improved batting display in their second innings suggests potential for better performances in future matches. Kuldeep's five-wicket haul in the first innings came in his 15th Test match, maintaining an impressive record of one five-wicket haul every three games, challenging perceptions of him as merely a conditions-dependent bowler. In the first innings, Hope and Imlach had initially handled Bumrah comfortably and scored some boundaries off Kuldeep. However, after Hope's dismissal to Kuldeep's brilliant delivery, West Indies lost four wickets in seven overs, collapsing to 175 for 8.

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