Day 3 Thriller at Arun Jaitley: Kuldeep Yadav’s Five-Wicket Haul Fires India Ahead
India continued their control in the second Test against the West Indies on Day 3 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, as spin maestro Kuldeep Yadav produced a haul that reshaped the match trajectory. After a brisk start to the day, India handed the ball to Kuldeep from the other end, and the Sundar-like turn that followed set the tone for a crucial passage of play. The start of the day saw captain Shubman Gill opting for a bold, two-spinners-and-pacer combination with Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, aimed at pinning the West Indies batters early.
Kuldeep’s Five-Wicket Burst: A Game-Changing Moment
Kuldeep Yadav struck in the most impactful way, grabbing his fifth Test five-for as he trapped Jayden Seales lbw to snap a stubborn West Indies resistance. The ball drifted and then straightened, finding the back pad well in line with the stumps. Seales departed for 13 off 25, leaving WI reeling at 248/9 at one stage in the session. This was Kuldeep’s fifth five-wicket haul in 15 Tests, underscoring his revival and execution under pressure. His previous five-fer came in March 2024, a reminder of how test-match dominance with the ball can hinge on a single spell.
West Indies’ Lower-Order Fight and Follow-On Pressure
Even as Kuldeep delivered, West Indies showed grit from 9th and 10th wickets, with Phillip and Pierre nudging the score past 250 while frustrating India’s plans. Phillip’s two boundaries off Jadeja and an exchange of play between caretaker captain Shai Hope and his partners kept the scoreboard ticking. The hosts looked to the second new ball later in the session, hoping to press for the follow-on. Bumrah’s precision at one end and Siraj’s pace at the other kept the pressure high, with the batting side squandering a few opportunities to convert into big partnerships.
Siraj’s Early Pressure and Bumrah’s Recollecting Rhythm
Mohammad Siraj began proceedings with a maiden over, signaling India’s intent to strike early. Jasprit Bumrah then took over from the other end, delivering a rhythm-building spell that yielded a luck-laden maiden and a few close calls. The duo’s combined effort, alongside Jadeja’s spin, kept the wind in India’s sails as WI crawled towards the follow-on threshold. Bumrah’s last-wicket strike, finishing a 42-run stand, forced a critical phase for the visitors, who then dipped to 198/9 before the latest twists of the day.
Crucial Second Session: WI Clings to Hope, India Bends but Does Not Break
As the afternoon session progressed, WI reached beyond 200 and threatened to mount a late counter with the lower order. Jadeja, who had bowled earlier on day 3, returned to apply pressure in tandem with Kuldeep. The pair exploited the wearing pitch and the timing of the fielding cord to stifle the last-wicket resistance. The commentary team reflected on field placements and India’s strategy, highlighting how a single over could change the complexion of the day, and how the follow-on target remained daunting for WI.
Expert Commentary and Captaincy Insight
Analysts on air and in the press box discussed India’s leadership under Shubman Gill and his decision to back spin on this surface. Veteran voices suggested that an extra fielder near the bat could have altered WI’s approach, while shaking up the batting order could have yielded different outcomes. Former players and pundits have noted Gill’s growing maturity as captain, with Parthiv Patel praising his balance between aggressive runs and steady leadership. Gambhir’s interview earlier this week had also underscored the belief that Gill could drive India’s fortunes with a calm, forward-facing approach.
What’s Next: Will WI Avoid the Follow-On?
With WI still trailing by a substantial margin and five wickets in hand, the arithmetic of the follow-on looms large. India will be keen to press for a collapsed innings if the opportunities arise in the next session, while WI will look to build a stubborn rescue operation. Day 3’s events have set the stage for a gripping final act, where Kuldeep Yadav’s magic and Bumrah’s pace could again decide the destiny of this Test.
Bottom Line
As play ended on Day 3, India held the initiative, thanks largely to Kuldeep Yadav’s five-wicket haul and a disciplined bowling display from Bumrah and Siraj. The West Indies, still 102 runs short of avoiding the follow-on, face a tough challenge on a Delhi wicket that has begun to offer assistance to spinners. The series remains in India’s grasp, but WI will hope for a revival on Day 4 to prevent a 2-0 series loss.
