India’s spin bowlers made consistent breakthroughs to disrupt West Indies’ response as the home team continued their control in the second Test following a fluent century by captain Shubman Gill on Saturday. The away side finished the day at 140-4, still behind India by 378 runs at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Shai Hope, scoring 31, and wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach, on 14, were at the crease at the end of play as Ravindra Jadeja, the left-arm spinner, claimed three wickets. Gill showcased his leadership by scoring an unbeaten 129 – his fifth century of the year in eight Tests – after Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 175 in the second over of day two.
In response to India’s massive first-innings total of 518-5 declared, opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul (34) and Alick Athanaze (41) offered some resistance before being dismissed. Chanderpaul fell to Jadeja’s delivery, caught by KL Rahul, breaking a 66-run partnership for the second wicket. Kuldeep Yadav removed Athanaze, and the West Indies skipper, Roston Chase, was out for a duck off Jadeja.
Hope fought on, surviving a close lbw appeal that India unsuccessfully reviewed. In the second session, West Indies opener John Campbell was dismissed for 10 after a remarkable reflex catch by Sai Sudharsan at forward short-leg. Gill, starting the day at 20, took charge against the West Indies bowlers, reaching his century with 16 fours and two sixes.
Gill’s partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, who contributed 44 runs, added 102 runs for the fifth wicket, accelerating the scoring with boundaries after lunch. Earlier, Jaiswal’s innings ended with a mix-up with Gill, resulting in a run-out. Gill then combined effectively with Nitish Kumar Reddy for a 91-run partnership before falling to Jomel Warrican for 43.
With a victory in the first Test by an innings, India are in a strong position to clinch the two-match series.