India complete whitewash against West Indies but not before absolute resolute from John Campbell and Shai Hope

India complete whitewash against West Indies (BCCI Photo)

The two-match Test series against West Indies came to a close on Tuesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with India winning the match by seven wickets. The outcome helped India complete a 2-0 whitewash against the opposition, having won the first Test in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs. Chasing 121 for victory, KL Rahul slammed half-century and returned unbeaten on 58.

While many had anticipated this match to be a three-day affair, like the previous one, a gritty display by John Campbell and Shai Hope ensured it wasn't the case. The duo slammed tons each after India enforced a follow-on. Their combined effort along with another frustrating partnership between Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales, the final pair, ensured that there was something to play for on the final day. Greaves returned unbeaten on 50 and together with Seales hung out in the middle for 22 overs.

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Meanwhile, the match started with India winning the toss and opting to bat. It was usual business for Indian batters, who piled a massive 518/5 before declaring their innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal slammed 175, featuring 22 boundaries. He first stitched a dominating 193-run stand with Sai Sudharsan for the second wicket. The latter, whose credentials as a the No. 3 have been scrutinised, responded with an impressive 87 before being trapped LBW by Jomel Warrican, who finished with four wickets in both innings combined.

Jaiswal then added another 74 with skipper Shubman Gill before an ugly mix-up led to him getting run-out. However, Gill took over from there and hammered an unbeaten 129.

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West Indies in response were skittled for 248 as Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the wrecker in chief. The Chinaman spinner registered his fifth five-wicket haul and found great support from Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with three scalps.

This allowed India a healthy 270-run lead and they decided to enforce a follow-on. West Indies once again got off to a slow start and were reduced to 35/2 but what followed next was least expected. Campbell and Hope added 177 for the third wicket, and resisted the Indian attack until the second session on Day 4. This allowed West Indies gain a slender lead, and crushed any notion of them being a mere pushover.

Kuldeep registered three more scalps in the second innings, and took his tally to eight wickets from the match.