Day 3: West Indies fightback begins with resilient top order
The second innings for West Indies began with early jitters, as Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell with the score at 17. After the loss of an early partner, Alick Athanaze and John Campbell steadied the ship, forming a patient counterattack that set a calmer tone for the innings. The pair added an 18-run stand before Athanaze’s dismissal interrupted the budding momentum, highlighting the challenge of scoring against India’s bowling plans on a testing surface.
Hope and Campbell anchor the innings
Shai Hope arrived at the crease to join John Campbell, and the duo immediately displayed resilience and intent. Hope, often the more aggressive of the two, mixed caution with aggression, while Campbell offered the steadiness necessary to navigate India’s varied attack. Their partnership grew steadily as they absorbed the best spells from the Indian bowlers and swelled in confidence with every over.
A landmark 138-run alliance settles the day’s narrative
Hope and Campbell combined for a commanding 138-run partnership, a significant first for the West Indies in this series. The stand not only provided the visitors with a solid foundation but also tested India’s plans to break the flatness in the surface after a long day of cricket. Even the introduction of Jasprit Bumrah, a key weapon for India, failed to disrupt the rhythm of the pair.
Shai Hope’s measured aggression
Hope leaned into scoring opportunities, using his reach and placement to pick gaps and rotate strike. His approach provided momentum without compromising the partnership, allowing Campbell to play with increased confidence. The half-century milestone for Hope arrived after 31 Test innings, signaling a return to form for a batter capable of altering a match’s tempo when set.
John Campbell’s patient siege
Campbell’s innings was marked by patience and selective shot selection. He stayed disciplined against the potent Indian bowling unit, maintaining a steady strike rate while ensuring that the scoreboard kept moving. The duo’s ability to negotiate short spells and long boundaries underscored West Indies’ intent to build a credible reply before the close of play.
Day 3 closing conditions and the road ahead
West Indies finished the day at 173/2, still trailing India by 97 runs. The partnership between Hope and Campbell has put a premium on stability and positive intent, offering a blueprint for how the tail can follow with resilience. As Day 4 looms, India will look to break the partnership early, while West Indies will aim to push towards a competitive total with a strong start to the morning session.
What this means for the series
The Day 3 narrative centers on resilience and the emergence of a reliable central stand, which could prove pivotal in the balance of the series. For India, finding the right state of rhythm against a determined West Indies batting lineup will be crucial if they want to press for an outright victory. For West Indies, the Hope-Campbell alliance could be the fulcrum around which the innings pivots in the final days of the test match.
