India Poised for Series Sweep After West Indies Resistance Forces Fifth-Day Finish
Kuldeep and Siraj lead the attack as West Indies centuries from Campbell and Hope extend India’s chase to final morning in Delhi Test.
India stand just 58 runs away from a 2-0 Test series sweep over the West Indies after a gritty display from the visitors forced the home side to return for a fifth day at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Chasing a modest target of 121, India reached 63 for 1 at the close of play, with KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan steady at the crease after the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The day began with West Indies determined to avoid an innings defeat, resuming their second innings 97 runs behind. John Campbell and Shai Hope led the fightback, with Campbell registering his maiden Test hundred and Hope bringing up his first century in eight years. Their partnership, and particularly the last wicket stand between Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales (worth 79 runs), frustrated Indian bowlers and gave West Indies a slender lead.
India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj broke the back of the West Indies resistance by dismissing Hope, while Kuldeep Yadav, already starring with a five-for in the first innings, picked up three more wickets and helped trigger a late collapse. Jasprit Bumrah finished off the tail, ending the West Indies innings at 390 and ensuring India needed only a small run chase.
Although India had nearly 18 overs left in the day to complete the win, they chose caution over aggression, content to finish off the job the next morning. Jaiswal briefly attempted a quick finish before falling early; the remaining batters played risk-free cricket to avoid late drama. With victory in sight and just 58 runs to score, India are on course to seal the series with a dominant performance, but West Indies will take heart from their prolonged fight and the individual milestones their batters achieved despite difficult conditions.
