John Campbell and Shai Hope produced a stirring display of resolve on Sunday, guiding the West Indies to their most disciplined batting performance of the series and keeping India temporarily at bay on day three of the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Campbell, batting with a blend of poise and aggression, reached stumps unbeaten on 87, while Hope offered steady support with 66 not out, as the pair shared an unbroken 138-run stand for the third wicket to steer the visitors to 173 for two, still 97 runs adrift of making India bat again.
It was a spirited fightback from a side that had appeared destined for another three-day defeat after being bundled out for 248 in their first innings — a response that left them 270 runs behind India’s formidable 518 for five declared.
Kuldeep Yadav spins a web in the morning session
The day began inauspiciously for the Caribbean team, resuming at 140 for four with Hope and Tevin Imlach at the crease, still staring up at India’s mountainous total. But the early promise quickly dissipated as Kuldeep Yadav once again showcased his artistry with the ball.
Hope, who added just five to his overnight 31, fell for 36 to a classic left-arm delivery that drifted and spun past his defense. Imlach followed soon after, trapped lbw for 21, as Yadav’s relentless accuracy tore through the lower order.
Justin Greaves and Jomel Warrican departed in quick succession, leaving the West Indies reeling at 175 for eight. But a stubborn partnership between Khary Pierre (23) and Anderson Phillip (24 not out) offered a flicker of defiance, frustrating India through a 46-run, ninth-wicket stand that stretched beyond the lunch interval.
Bumrah finally broke the resistance by bowling Pierre, and Yadav wrapped up the innings shortly after, dismissing Jayden Seales (13) to complete his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing with 5 for 82, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3 for 46.
India enforce follow-on — and strike early
India, holding a commanding lead, promptly enforced the follow-on, and their bowlers wasted little time testing the fragile West Indian top order.
With only 17 runs on the board, Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell to Mohammed Siraj, his mistimed pull looping to Shubman Gill at midwicket. Shortly before tea, Alick Athanaze was undone by an unplayable delivery from Washington Sundar, leaving the visitors tottering at 35 for two — and India seemingly poised for another early finish.
Campbell and Hope dig in
What followed, however, was the first sustained show of resistance from the tourists all series. Campbell and Hope combined patient defense with well-timed aggression, frustrating India’s attack through the evening session.
Campbell survived a tense passage of play against Sundar, overturning one lbw decision on review after replays confirmed the ball had brushed his glove before striking his pad. Two other close calls went his way on umpire’s discretion — slices of luck he capitalized on with confident strokeplay.
The left-hander’s stroke-making grew more fluent as the innings progressed, and he reached his half century — the first by a West Indian in the series — in style, lofting Yadav for six and then driving him through cover for four.
Hope soon followed, raising his bat after nudging Jadeja to deep point for a single, ending a frustrating run of 31 Test innings without a fifty.
West Indies hold on — with hope for more
By the close, Campbell had faced 145 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes, while Hope, equally composed, occupied the crease for nearly as long, his 66 laced with careful precision and quiet determination.
The pair’s defiance not only delayed India’s charge to victory but also restored a measure of pride to a team that had struggled for competitiveness across both Tests.
With the deficit still significant but the pitch flattening and confidence rising, the West Indies will begin day four knowing that their two stalwarts have finally given them something to build on — and their fans something to cheer about.
