India is now close to winning the second test match of the two-match series. They were 63 for 1 at the end of the fourth day’s play. KL Rahul (25*) and Sai Sudharsan (30*) were at the crease. India were eager to wrap up the match quickly after enforcing the follow-on before halfway, but the task proved tougher than expected. Despite bowling continuously for nearly 200 overs on a slow, lifeless surface, India could not finish the job on the fourth day. They will now return on the fifth morning, needing 58 more runs to win.

The warning signs were there when West Indies’ last two wickets had batted for 25.2 overs in the first innings. Still, India sent their bowlers back out after 81.5 overs, hoping to secure an innings win. But West Indies resisted brilliantly — John Campbell scored his maiden century, Shai Hope hit his first in eight years, and the last-wicket pair added 79 runs, their second-best stand of 2025.

Siraj and Kuldeep lead India’s charge

India eventually broke the partnership with the help of the second new ball. Mohammed Siraj triggered the collapse by dismissing Hope, while Kuldeep Yadav took three quick wickets to add to his five from the first innings.

India’s desperation was visible as they avoided using Nitish Kumar Reddy, though he had been promoted to No. 5 earlier to give him exposure in pressure situations.

West Indies started the day 97 behind with eight wickets in hand. Campbell, resuming on 87, reached his hundred with a huge slog-sweep six. But he soon fell to Ravindra Jadeja, trapped in front while attempting a reverse sweep — his first of the innings.

Hope and Roston Chase looked solid during a 59-run partnership, but the new ball right after lunch turned the tide. Siraj’s wobble-seam delivery bowled Hope, taking him to the top of the wicket-takers’ list for 2025.

Kuldeep strikes back as West Indies collapse

Kuldeep, who had been attacked earlier by Tevin Imlach, adjusted his pace and found just enough bounce to remove both Imlach and Chase in quick succession. Khary Pierre, who had resisted in the first innings, fell cheaply to a loose shot off Jasprit Bumrah, who also removed Jomel Warrican and Anderson Phillip with the lead still at 41.

As the ball softened, the pitch again offered little help. Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales frustrated India, batting through an extended middle session. The Indian spinners bowled to the No. 11 with minimal attacking fielders, showing how lifeless the surface had become.

Eventually, Seales holed out to deep square leg off Bumrah after pulling him for four earlier in the over. The partnership forced India into another spell late in the day and ensured West Indies crossed 300 before being bowled out for 311.

India delay the finish

India needed 121 runs to win and had about 18 overs left on the fourth evening. Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to end the game quickly but was caught at long-on off Warrican in the second over. After that, India batted cautiously, choosing to return the next morning to complete the job.

If Jaiswal’s attacking intent was his own decision, he might feel let down by India’s conservative approach as they opted not to push for a fourth-day finish.

Brief Scorecard