Buoyed by their innings-and-140-run thrashing of the West Indies in Ahmedabad, hosts India will be confident of wrapping up another series sweep when the second and final Test begins at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, on Friday.
The match is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, and India, currently on a strong run, will be keen to consolidate valuable points ahead of tougher assignments.
India’s commanding show in Ahmedabad – built on centuries from Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja – exposed the gulf between the two sides. The spinners – Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar – thrived even on a greenish surface, leaving little doubt that they will have a bigger say on a dry, black-soil Delhi wicket expected to crumble as the match progresses.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that India will likely retain a winning combination. “There’s little reason to tinker when things are working,” he said. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to share the new ball again and Nitish Kumar Reddy set for a more involved all-round role, India’s XI looks well-balanced.
Gill: ‘We Want To Give Reddy Time To Grow’
Captain Shubman Gill underlined the team’s long-term plans for grooming seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, saying it was crucial to give him red-ball exposure in home conditions before tougher overseas tours.
We want to give him as much game time as possible in India. If we only play him overseas, that doesn’t really give him enough opportunity. He’s got a lot of potential – we saw how he batted in Australia. He can bowl 10-15 overs a day and contribute with the bat, so the more he plays, the better he’ll get.
Gill also backed B Sai Sudharsan to cement his spot at No. 3 despite a low score in Ahmedabad. “You have to give young players time. Not everyone will score in every match. Sai has shown his quality – he’s someone who can play at No. 3 for India for a long time,” the skipper said. On team selection, Gill was clear: “WTC points matter. We want to play our best XI and maintain the winning momentum.”
He also reserved praise for Ravindra Jadeja, calling him “a complete package.” “It’s a huge advantage to have someone like Jaddu bhai. He can bat anywhere, bowl long spells, and his fielding intensity lifts the team. There’s a reason he’s the No. 1 all-rounder in the world.”
Pitch Report: Spinners To Rule Kotla Once More
The Arun Jaitley Stadium last hosted a Test during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ended inside three days as Jadeja claimed a seven-wicket haul. The surface again shows signs of dry patches and minimal grass, likely aiding India’s spinners as the game progresses. The combination of Jadeja, Kuldeep, and Sundar could prove decisive once again, supported by Bumrah and Siraj in the opening bursts.
West Indies Face Stern Test Of Resolve
For the West Indies, the challenge goes beyond the scoreline. Their batting collapse in Ahmedabad – bowled out for under 200 in both innings – prompted Brian Lara to question the side’s hunger and direction. Funding issues and player drain to franchise leagues have compounded their troubles. Captain Roston Chase, however, remains defiant and insists his side can bounce back with better starts.
I don’t think the guys are lacking confidence. It’s just about getting that one good innings. Once someone gets a big fifty or hundred, it changes the belief. We need to soak up pressure as batters and put it back on India. If we can start well, we’ll be fine.
Chase also revealed that he had spoken to legends Lara, Sir Viv Richards, and Sir Richie Richardson, who urged the team to “keep believing and stay positive.” “They told me change can start from now. It begins with mindset and belief. We have to motivate ourselves to play positive cricket and not fall away,” he said.
‘Red-Ball Cricket Is Still The Ultimate Test’
Addressing concerns over waning interest in Test cricket among Caribbean players, Chase was firm in his conviction. “Red-ball is the foundation. All the legends were made from Test cricket – it’s the ultimate challenge,” he said. “I’ve turned down franchise opportunities because playing for the maroon means everything to me. I’ll always give my all for West Indies.”
Likely Line-Ups: India: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, B Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
West Indies: Roston Chase (c), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shai Hope (wk), Justin Greaves, Johann Layne, Khary Pierre, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, Jediah Blades.
