Overview: A stubborn comeback keeps Windies in front
Day 4 of the 2nd Test between India and West Indies has unfolded with West Indies clinging to a slender lead as the session after tea sees a tightly contested battle. West Indies, chasing India’s first-innings total of 518/5 declared, are 363/9 (f/o) in 109 overs, with Seales on 19* and Greaves on 37*. India, meanwhile, look for breakthroughs as Ravindra Jadeja joins Kuldeep Yadav at the crease to spearhead a disciplined spin attack. The mood around the venue is tense as the Indian bowlers seek to convert pressure into wickets and Nath of the tail continues to wag for the visitors.
Spin and pressure: India’s plan to slow the Windies charge
After a scintillating spell from Kuldeep Yadav, India have tightened the screws with Jadeja providing control from the other end. The strategy appears to be simple: keep Seales on strike as much as possible and squeeze the partnership from the Windies’ lower order. India have managed to halt the progress of the Windies batters at crucial moments, but Greaves and Seales have shown enough maturity to keep the chase alive and stubborn. The field is set to tempt the lower order to take risks, while India hope for a breakthrough that can swing the session’s momentum.
Greaves and Seales: The stubborn partnership that defines Day 4
Greaves and Seales have added important runs in a 50-run stand for the final wicket partnership at various points in the session. Their resilience keeps West Indies within striking distance and prevents India from relaxing after tea. The two West Indies batsmen have been aggressive at times, including a massive boundary against Jadeja off a leg-stump delivery, and their ability to rotate the strike has kept India honest. As Seales remains not out on 18–19 and Greaves sits in the 30s, the door remains ajar for the visitors to post a competitive total.
The turning points: Wickets and Mixtures of risk
One moment that holds weight is Kuldeep Yadav dismissing Roston Chase earlier in the day, which briefly altered India’s mood with the hope of a late-innings collapse. However, Seales and Greaves have answered back with a poised stand that dampens that hope. The game is not over, and India’s bowlers, led by the pace trio and the returning spinners, will look to extract more purchase from the Delhi pitch as the day progresses.
Shaping the narrative: India’s batting, India’s bowlers, and the next steps
India’s first-innings 518/5 declared set a strong platform, but the current scenario demands a disciplined, patient approach from the bowlers. With tea done and dusted, Kuldeep and Jadeja will be tested again as the West Indies’ tail tries to push the total beyond the reach of India. The Indian fielding unit must convert any loose strokes into wickets and target the lower order with the new ball when feasible. The contest remains open, and the result will hinge on the effectiveness of India’s spin equity and West Indies’ willingness to take calculated risks in the late stages of Day 4.
What to watch for the remainder of Day 4
Key elements to monitor include: the threat posed by Seales’ boundary-rotation against spin, Greaves’ ability to hit through the line against accuracy, and how India manages the tail with Kuldeep and Jadeja weaving variations. If India can prise out the India No.11 and claim a couple of quick wickets, the game could swing in their favor. Conversely, if Seales and Greaves continue their steady accumulation, West Indies could take a lead into the final day, setting an absorbing finish to this Test match.
Final notes: Context and implications
As the session draws to a close, the result still hangs in the balance. The Indian team will be eager to convert their overnight advantage into a consolidated win, while West Indies are intent on evening the ledger by posting a defendable total on a pitch that offers something for the bowlers. The next phase of Day 4 promises a gripping climax to this fascinating Test.
