Roston Chase sees Delhi resistance as a stepping stone for West Indies

Despite losing 0‑2 in India, West Indies captain Roston Chase drew positives from his team’s performance in the Delhi Test. He called the fightback – which forced the match into a fifth day after India enforced the follow‑on – a “stepping stone” for a young side that has faced heavy defeats in recent years. Chase praised his players’ resolve, particularly the second‑innings total of 390 after they were 270 runs behind. He said the display proved West Indies could compete with top Test teams and urged his colleagues to build on the belief.

The article noted that although West Indies eventually lost by seven wickets, there were several positives: John Campbell and Shai Hope added 177 for the third wicket, their highest stand of the year; debutant Justin Greaves scored a fighting fifty; and the tail wagged to keep India on the field for an extended period. Chase acknowledged that batting remained the team’s biggest area of improvement and emphasised the need to post sizeable first‑innings totals. He also lamented the short nature of the two‑Test series, arguing that more matches would allow teams to learn and adapt. India coach Gambhir, meanwhile, praised West Indies’ spirit and remarked that world cricket needs a strong Caribbean team.

The series between India and West Indies concluded with a seven‑wicket win for India on the fifth morning in Delhi. Chasing just 121, India wobbled briefly when Shai Hope dismissed Sai Sudharsan, but KL Rahul’s unbeaten 58 and Dhruv Jurel’s assured 35* saw them home. Shubman Gill, looking to finish with flourish, was caught attempting a big hit, but his dismissal merely delayed the inevitable. The victory gave India a 2‑0 sweep after they had dominated the series from the outset. The article observed that West Indies showed improvement compared to the Ahmedabad Test, batting 118.5 overs in the second innings to post 390.

The report provided context for India’s victory. Their first‑innings total of 518/5 declared set the tone, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 175 and Gill’s unbeaten 129. Kuldeep Yadav took 3 for 104 in the second innings, while Jasprit Bumrah’s 3 for 44 ensured the target remained manageable. The piece emphasised that India’s decision to enforce the follow‑on, despite the heavy workload on bowlers, showcased the team’s aggressive mindset under captain Gill. West Indies fought valiantly but lacked the cutting edge to push for a win. For India, the sweep added valuable WTC points; for West Indies, the performances of Campbell, Hope and Greaves were encouraging signs for the future.