India Vs West Indies Highlights, 2nd Test, Day 3: Hope-Campbell's Unbroken Stand Cuts WI Trail To 97 Runs

Good morning, everyone! We’re back with another live blog, it’s Day 3 of the India vs West Indies Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. A lot to come, so stay tuned for live updates.

The India vs West Indies 2nd Test, Day 3 will be telecast on the Star Sports Network TV channels in India. It will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in the country.

Here are some unmissable stats from day 2 -

Gill Matches Kohli's Calendar Record

Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 not out brought him level with former captain Virat Kohli's tally of five for most Test centuries as a captain in a calendar year. Kohli achieved it twice, in 2017 and 2018. With five centuries in 12 innings as captain, Gill is the third quickest to the mark, after Alastair Cook (nine) and Sunil Gavaskar (10).

Jaiswal On The Path Of Greatness

The 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 175, now has five 150-plus scores. Only Aussie great Don Bradman (8) had more such scores before turning 24. Jaiswal's seven centuries in his 26-match Test career are also the joint-most by an opener before turning 24.

India vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 3: Spin takes center stage as Kuldeep Yadav opens the day. The West Indies batters walk out under the bright sun, with a slip and short leg ready. Shai Hope tries to settle, defending back to the bowler and leaning into a drive, but NKR’s diving stop at mid-off keeps the scoreboard quiet. The day’s intensity is already building.

Sai Sudharsan is sitting out today as a precaution after the impact injury he suffered on Day 2 while going for a catch. He’s doing fine, and the BCCI medical team is keeping a close watch, with no serious concerns.

WI 152/4 (47)

Bumrah keeps Tevin Imlach on his toes at the crease. A slower off-cutter sees Imlach press forward in defence, then a short ball is punched to backward point, and finally, a rising in-angling bouncer forces him to duck, yet the scoreboard remains untouched.

Kuldeep Yadav strikes again as Tevin Imlach’s resistance comes to an end. A flighted leg-spinner traps Imlach on the front pad around the knee-roll, and Dinesh Karthik dives to take a sharp catch at short leg. Umpire Richard Illingworth raises his finger, and Imlach, in disbelief, takes a review, but UltraEdge confirms no inside edge, and ball-tracking shows three reds.

West Indies lose Imlach for 21 off 67 balls, burning a review in the process, as Kuldeep removes both overnight batters in consecutive overs.

Kuldeep Yadav tosses one up to Anderson Phillip, spinning it back in, and Phillip leans forward, only to clip an inside edge toward the on-side, no run.

Washington Sundar bowls a flatter delivery to Anderson Phillip, who goes back and nudges it to the on-side, no run.

WI 217/8 (72) – Lunch Break: West Indies trail by 301 runs

India dominated the morning, taking four wickets in 29 overs as Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj ripped through the top and middle order. Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, and Justin Greaves fell to Kuldeep, while Siraj sent Jomel Warrican packing, raising hopes of an early finish and a possible follow-on.

But a stubborn ninth-wicket stand worth 42 runs has slowed things down. West Indies still trail by 301 runs at lunch, with India firmly in control and the big question: will they enforce the follow-on?

Kuldeep Yadav goes around the wicket and beats Anderson Phillip’s sweep attempt. There’s an appeal for lbw, but it’s quickly turned down, clearly drifting down leg, with the impact outside off. No run, and Kuldeep keeps the pressure on.

West Indies put up a stronger fight this time, but they were bowled out for 248 in 81.5 overs, still trailing India by 270 runs. Early partnerships from Chanderpaul and Athanaze, followed by Hope and Imlach, helped steady the innings, but Kuldeep Yadav’s five-wicket burst turned the game firmly in India’s favor.

A late stand between Pierre and Phillip added some resistance, but Bumrah and Kuldeep wrapped things up after lunch. India have enforced the follow-on, and West Indies will need to show resilience in their second innings.

John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul are on the crease and have begun their pursuit in the 3rd innings as they trail by 255 runs.

Mohammad Siraj draws first blood as he removes Tagenarine Chanderpaul from the crease. Early blow for West Indies, who were in desperate need of a solid start but Siraj's outside off, short delivery does the trick. The visitors are 25/1, trailing by 245 runs.

The West Indies are 35/2 at the end of the second session and are currently trailing by 235 runs. After Tagenarine Chanderpaul's removal from the crease, all-rounder Washington Sundar bowled a dream delivery to get rid of Alick Athanaze. Tea on Day 3 has been called and Windies will continue their pursuit shortly.

All the players have taken the field for the final session of day 3 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. John Campbell and Shai Hope will restart West Indies' pursuit after India enforced a follow on to the visitors, who were all out for only 248 runs in the 1st innings. A very important session for both the teams.

John Campbell scores a very important half-century as the West Indies inch closer to the 100-run mark in the 3rd innings. Shai Hope is playing the supporting role perfectly. Windies are 97/2 after 24 overs.

John Campbell and Shai Hope appear to be finding their feet against the Indian bowlers, who are working hard to break the partnership which has reached over 70 runs. West Indies currently trail by 157 runs.

John Campbell and Shai Hope are taking on the Indian bowling attack. While Campbell is inching closer to his century, Hope is nearing towards a half-century. West Indies now trailing by 134 runs.

Top-order batsman Shai Hope has scored a commendable half-century and is stitching a strong partnership with opener John Campbell, who is moments away from scoring a Century at the National capital. West Indies now trailing by 121 runs.

John Campbell and Shai Hope are standing firm on their ground and are showing no signs of slowing down in their pursuit in the 3rd innings. Both the batters are showcasing exceptional grit and the trail has now gone down to 97 runs. Indian bowlers must find a way out.

Stumps have been called in New Delhi and the day 3 action of the India Vs West Indies 2nd Test has come to an end. After being asked to follow on, the visitors, thanks to John Campbell and Shai Hope, have put up a strong fightback after getting all out for 248 in their 1st innings.

Campbell (87*) and Hope (66*) have stitched an exceptional 138-run partnership and they will look to build on furthermore tomorrow on day 4. The Indian bowling attack will have a lot of work to do on the fourth day and we are surely in for an enthralling end to this Test series. That's it for today.