In Delhi just a few days ago, Kuldeep Yadav put on an impressive display against the West Indies. The left-arm wrist spinner took five wickets in the first innings, leaving the visiting team struggling to cope. However, things changed in the second innings. Led by the steadfast John Campbell and dedicated Shai Hope, the West Indies found a way to tackle India’s spin challenge, building their strongest partnership of the series.
Campbell and Hope combined to score 177 runs for the third wicket, successfully countering the Indian spin attack with smart batting and clever singles. Both players notched up centuries, with Hope scoring 103 and Campbell reaching 115, demonstrating a fighting spirit that shifted the game’s momentum, even if the outcome was still secured by India.
“I’m disappointed,” Campbell expressed after Day 4. “I never want to get out, but that’s the nature of the game. Shai and I aimed to bat for as long as we could. Once we settled in, our goal was to stay at the crease.”
When Campbell was dismissed trying a risky reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, he felt mixed emotions. “At that moment, I thought it was a good shot, but it turned out to be a mistake,” he admitted.
The West Indies’ response to Kuldeep Yadav was noteworthy. After struggling against him in the first innings, Campbell explained that their approach was simple: read the field and adjust quickly rather than sticking to an elaborate plan. “When he bowled, with an attacking field, we decided to take a few risks. Later, when the fielders were pushed back, we focused on singles,” Campbell said. This strategy paid off, forcing India to shift their field placements and significantly reducing Kuldeep’s impact.
For a team that had faced challenges with scoring throughout the series, their second-innings performance was a much-needed boost. “This is a big positive for us,” Campbell noted. “After a tough first innings, batting for over 100 overs was a huge positive.”
After a series of disappointing outings, the two centuries in the last innings highlighted what the West Indies batting lineup can achieve. Their patience and ability to handle spin marked a significant improvement from previous collapses.
Campbell dismissed the idea that the lack of warm-up matches hurt their early performance. “We didn’t have time for a warm-up, but this is international cricket. As professionals, we need to adapt quickly to the conditions,” he said.
He also recognized a bit of luck on his side, especially when a few DRS decisions favored him. “Maybe I had some luck, but I was trying to get outside the line and ensure I played well,” he added with a smile.
As India chased a target of 121, they ended Day 4 at 63 for one, needing just 58 runs for a series victory. However, the West Indies’ solid batting performance in their second innings was a reminder that even in defeat, every small achievement counts. Against Kuldeep Yadav, they managed to find their footing.
