New Delhi: The Indian bowling attack faced a stern test of character on an unresponsive sub-continental track but came out trumps, leaving the hosts on the cusp of a 2-0 clean sweep over a fighting West Indies on the fourth day of the second Test here on Monday.
The Indians need another 58 runs on the final day to win the game after reaching 63 for 1 at stumps in pursuit of 121.
Jasprit Bumrah (3/44 in 17.5 overs), Kuldeep Yadav (3/104 in 29 overs), Ravindra Jadeja (1/102 in 33 overs), Mohammed Siraj (2/43 in 15 overs) and Washington Sundar (1/80 in 23 overs) toiled hard for more than 118.5 overs in the second innings.
They eventually bowled out the West Indies for 390, leaving the home team with a target of 121 to chase in 18 overs left on the fourth evening.
KL Rahul (25 batting) and Sai Sudharsan (30 batting) looked comfortable but didn’t take too many risks after Yashasvi Jaiswal (8) holed out in the deep.
This was after Siraj struck a decisive blow with the second new ball before Kuldeep Yadav ran through the lower-middle order as Indian bowlers found their mojo in the post-lunch session on day four.
John Campbell (115 off 199 balls) and Shai Hope (103 off 214 balls) added 177 runs for the third wicket to show the Caribbean team’s stomach for fight but the Indian bowling unit’s patience paid off once the second new ball came into operation post lunch.
But Jayden Seales (32) and Justin Greaves (50 not out) added 79 for the final wicket to take the match into day five.
The only consolation from this match for the West Indies would be two centuries that forced India to bat for the second time.
It was a sincere bowling effort as Kuldeep, Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj and Jadeja all played their part with timely dismissals.
The Indian bowling unit can take heart from the fact that they had to bowl for long across two innings in conditions which were not conducive for either spin or pace.
The dead pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla didn’t show any signs of wear and tear even well into the fourth day. (PTI)
Brief Scores:
India 518/5 dec and 63/1 in 18 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 30 not out, KL Rahul 25 not out; Jomel Warrican 1-15) trail West Indies 248 and 390 in 118.5 overs (John Campbell 115, Shai Hope 103; Jasprit Bumrah 3-44, Kuldeep Yadav 3-104) by 58 runs
