India seal a dominant series win in Delhi
India completed a clinical series win over the West Indies by seven wickets on Day 5 in New Delhi, clinching the two-match series 2-0. After a spirited resistance from the West Indies, including a monumental effort from John Campbell and Shai Hope, the target of 121 proved modest for the home side, guided by a calm, controlled chase led by KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan.
Rahul and Sudharsan steer the chase
KL Rahul anchored the chase, bringing up a well-timed half-century as India moved steadily towards victory. The couple of early jitters from Yashasvi Jaiswal gave way to a composed 50+ stand between Rahul and Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan, who had earlier fallen after a bright start, played with poise in his brief return to the middle. Rahul, meanwhile, shifted between measured strokes and quick singles to keep the required-rate under control, ensuring India did not rush the chase.
The middle-overs consolidation
With 33 runs needed at one stage, the tempo changed as Shubman Gill joined Rahul at the crease. Gill, the stand-in captain, took a pragmatic approach after his earlier dismissal, focusing on solid defense and quick single-turns to keep the scoreboard ticking. The partnership was a mix of steady accumulation and timely boundaries, mirroring the team’s intent: finish the game without unnecessary risk. When Rahul began to accelerate, India crept closer to the target, with Gill delivering a bit of class from the other end.
Kuldeep Yadav’s spell and a frustrated WI batting display
While the chase dominated headlines, the match had already been shaped by Kuldeep Yadav’s sensational performance in the earlier phases. The left-arm spinner finished the match with eight wickets in the series, a haul that underscored his mastery of turn and variation on a track that offered help to spinners. His contributions, along with disciplined bowling from Mohammed Siraj, made the West Indies’ first-innings lead look even more precarious and set up the chase neatly for India.
West Indies’ fight, but not enough
West Indies had shown resilience in the opening two days, with John Campbell and Shai Hope sharing a 177-run stand that put India on the back foot. Their centuries stood out as beacons of resistance on a pitch that did not drastically deteriorate, though the second-innings collapse that followed highlighted the gulf in depth between the two sides. The visitors battled to keep the match alive and flirted with moments of hope, but ultimately could not prevent another Indian victory.
Captaincy and early-tour reflections
Shubman Gill’s leadership of the team in this series has drawn attention. After a challenging start in England, his ability to steady the ship and guide a mature run-chase in Delhi bodes well for India’s plans ahead of the South Africa series. The team’s depth was on display, with Rahul’s patient innings and Sudharsan’s elegant temperament illustrating the breadth of India’s batting lineup. The edge India showed in the field and in calling the chase speaks to a squad that is learning quickly under a captain who is still navigating the early stages of a demanding role.
What this means going forward
The win keeps India undefeated at home against the West Indies in recent years and provides a platform for confidence ahead of tougher assignments in the looming calendar. Kuldeep Yadav’s eight-wicket haul will be a major talking point, reinforcing his status as a key match-winner in subcontinental conditions. For the West Indies, this series will be studied for lessons—how to adapt more quickly to spinning surfaces and how to build a more consistent batting unit against high-class spin.
Final notes
KL Rahul’s runs with the bat, Sudharsan’s notable showing, and Gill’s leadership marked a satisfying end to a two-match series. The match featured gripping middle-overs play, disciplined bowling, and a chase executed with minimal risk but maximum clarity. Stay tuned for the presentation as India celebrate a 2-0 series triumph in Delhi.
