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Day 4 of the second Test between India and West Indies in Delhi was a classic pendulum swinger, with moments of game-changing brilliance and defiant batting displays. After three days of apparent Indian dominance, the Caribbean visitors—spurred by centuries from John Campbell and Shai Hope—fought back hard, pushing the match deep and reminding the world of Test cricket’s unpredictable magic. By stumps, India were tantalizingly close to a series sweep but were forced to earn every inch after enduring some of the West Indies’ bravest batting this decade.
The Morning Session: Campbell and Hope Lead West Indies Revival
The day began with West Indies three wickets down and still trailing India by 97, but opener John Campbell and the ever-steady Shai Hope took guard with clear intent. Overcoming the demons of prior collapses, both batsmen defied India’s vaunted spinners—Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav—and fast bowlers who were bowling with relentless energy after enforcing the follow-on.
- Campbell’s 115: Aggressive yet measured, he played remarkable drives against both pace and spin, attacking anything short of a length and reaching his second Test century with a flurry of boundaries.
- Hope’s 103: Accumulated through classic Test match batting—tight defence, judicious stroke selection, and iron discipline, especially when India attacked with close-in fielders.
Their partnership stitched together over 200 runs for the 3rd wicket, a stand that not only erased the deficit but, for the first time in the match, forced India onto the defensive. By lunch, the visitors were in the black, and the Delhi crowd—expecting a swift finish—were now witnessing a genuine battle.
Midday: Jadeja, Kuldeep, and Bumrah Wrest Back Momentum
As the pitch baked under Delhi’s afternoon sun, Ravindra Jadeja’s relentless accuracy and Kuldeep Yadav’s sharp turn began to tell. Jadeja finally got the much-needed breakthrough, trapping Campbell lbw with a wicked arm-ball, ending a heroic resistance. The dam had cracked.
- Kuldeep Yadav then chipped away: he dismissed Tevin Imlach and Roston Chase in quick succession, using drift and guile.
- Jasprit Bumrah returned with the second new ball, testing Hope with hostile lengths and extracting late movement.
India’s persistence paid off as Hope, having completed his century, was finally caught behind off Bumrah—a moment met with mixed applause and respectful cheers for the fighting visitors.
Late Session: Record Stands and Last-Wicket Heroics
Just as West Indies looked set to crumble, Justin Greaves (50*) and Jayden Seales (32) formed an improbable 10th wicket partnership, frustrating India with counterattacking strokes and savvy tail-end resilience. Their 79-run stand for the last wicket was the highest of the innings and a reminder that Test matches can be turned by even the most unlikely pairs.
Greaves’ half-century, combined with counterpunches from Seales (including a fierce pull for four off Bumrah), saw West Indies’ second innings total swell to 390—a remarkable effort after being asked to follow on. The hosts, who had seemed set to close out by tea, were forced to revisit their blueprints.
The Chase: Jaiswal Falls, but Rahul-Calm Prevails
Set 121 for victory, India’s run chase was expected to be a formality. Yet the ghosts of “fourth-innings collapses” lingered for the briefest of moments when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed early—a sharp catch at slip that sent a jolt through the home dressing room.
Enter KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan. The seasoned opener and the stylish left-hander absorbed minor scares, survived a near-miss with DRS, and gradually asserted control. Boundaries flowed—the best a wristy flick from Sudharsan and a signature drive from Rahul. With 63/1 on the board and just 58 runs required for victory, India will return on Day 5 with win in sight and history beckoning—a 10th consecutive series win against West Indies.
Key Moments & Stats
- Campbell and Hope’s 200+ stand: The first time West Indies’ top order had truly stood up in the series, reminiscent of their proud Test heritage.
- India Enforces Follow-On: Forcing such a fightback in the second innings made for dramatic viewing.
- Greaves-Seales 10th-wicket partnership: Highest last-wicket stand by a WI pair in India in 40 years.
- Kuldeep, Jadeja, Bumrah: All took key wickets under pressure, rotating well with seam and spin.
- Jaiswal’s Early Wicket: Reminded fans that no chase is too small for drama in Test cricket.
Strategic Takeaways
- West Indies Revival: The resistance from visitors showed what focus and spirit could deliver against a superior opponent and raised hopes for their future away from home.
- India’s Grit: Forced to toil for nearly 200 overs in the field, the hosts were patient and rotated their attack smartly. Shubman Gill’s decision to keep aggressive fields even as the run rate ticked up was notable.
The Starclash Experience: Bringing Fans Into the Action
As cricket fans across India hungrily followed each twist, Starclash, India’s top online score checking brand, made sure everyone was part of the action. Through real-time updates, session stats, player comparisons, and interactive win-probability graphs, Starclash transformed score-watching into a social and immersive experience.
Every new partnership, wicket, review, and momentum swing was instantly tracked with ball-by-ball notifications, while fans debated strategies and predicted outcomes using the app’s integrated community features. On a day when the old magic of Test cricket was on full display, Starclash ensured no dot ball or wicket went unnoticed—turning stats into stories and live scores into collective excitement.
Conclusion
Day 4 of the India vs West Indies 2nd Test in Delhi provided everything that makes Test cricket timeless: heroic resistance, shifting tides, and the slow-burn thrill of a chase. Campbell and Hope’s centuries gave West Indies a long-sought day in the sun; India’s bowlers worked tirelessly to restore order. As India eyes another series win, the true winner is the game itself—with Starclash letting fans nationwide live every heartbeat, every roar, and every twist in this epic contest.
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