Day 3 Heralds a New India-Attack as Kuldeep Yadav Takes Center Stage
Day three at the Arun Jaitley Stadium opened with India gifting the ball to spin from the other end, and Kuldeep Yadav responded in style. After a maiden over by Mohammed Siraj, the captain’s call to turn to Kuldeep paid immediate dividends, with the left-arm off-breaks delivering bursts of sharp revs and drift. India’s decision to leverage both spin and pace from the outset set the tone for a day that would tilt the balance further in their favor.
Kuldeep’s Five-Wicket Haul: A Five-for From Fourth-Quarter to the Fore
Kuldeep Yadav bagged his fifth five-wicket haul in 15 Tests after trapping West Indies’ Jayden Seales lbw, in a delivery that pitched a notable gap between bat and pad. Seales’ dismissal was emblematic of Kuldeep’s patience and control on a surface that offered purchase with the older ball. The spell underlined Kuldeep’s prowess, with his last five-for having come in March 2024, making this another reminder of his ascendancy in testing conditions.
West Indies’ Resistance and India’s Bowling Momentum
As West Indies toiled, Jomel Warrican and Tevin Imlach offered stubborn resistance before succumbing to Kuldeep’s accuracy. Warrican fell to a fine inside-edge that clipped the middle stump, a rare moment of fortune for India amid a session where Kuldeep’s drift and turn troubled the visitors. Imlach’s lbw decision, upheld by the third umpire, added to the hosts’ confidence as the visitors slipped further behind the follow-on threshold.
Shai Hope and the Last-Wicket Stand Stretches the Dane
Shai Hope offered the innings some late momentum, reaching 36 before falling to Kuldeep. The dismissal was a reminder that India’s attack was grinding a new line of resistance at the crease, with Hope’s dismissal punctuating a crucial phase of pressure from Kuldeep and the supporting line of bowlers. The West Indies, however, are still staring at a substantial deficit, with the follow-on looming and the next wickets vital to their hopes.
Jadeja and Bumrah Keep India’s Pressure High
Mohammed Siraj opened the day’s bowling, but Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have since rejoined the attack, keeping the pressure tight from both ends. Bumrah’s pace and accuracy produced a wicket in the session as he dismissed Khary Pierre with a clean strike, ending a 42-run stand for the 9th wicket. The dismissal signaled another setback for West Indies as they chased a daunting deficit and the possibility of avoiding follow-on looked increasingly unlikely.
Progress, Plus: Rahul, Gill, and India’s Tactical Calls
On commentary and in the dugout, analysts debated India’s field placement and the coin-toss decisions that kick-started the Day 3 proceedings. There was mention of an extra fielder near the bat for better pressure in slow surfaces, a point raised by former players during the day’s discussions. Shubman Gill’s leadership and calm at the crease—along with quick, sharp bowling changes—have kept India’s momentum intact, with the series edge leaning in their favor as they seek to seal the match and push for a 2-0 lead.
Session Summary and What Lies Ahead
By the close of play, West Indies had crawled past 200, but with six wickets down and a long way to go to avoid the follow-on, India’s bowlers had laid down a clear blueprint. Kuldeep’s five-wicket haul stands as the centerpiece of this spellbinding day, complemented by Jadeja’s continued control and Bumrah’s breakthroughs. If India can press home the advantage tomorrow, the visitors could be staring at a deficit that’s unmanageable in this format.
What India Need to Do Next
– Wrap up the remaining West Indian wickets quickly to enforce the follow-on or set a daunting chase.
– Continue to use Kuldeep’s variations to frustrate the entrenched West Indian batters.
– Maintain field pressure, especially against the remaining set batsmen, to force mistakes on a wearing surface.
Bottom Line
With Kuldeep Yadav’s five-wicket haul anchoring India’s bowling, Day 3 has shifted the vantage more decisively in India’s favor. West Indies face a steep climb, and India’s balance of spin and pace is looking increasingly effective as they head toward a potential series-clinching position.
