Gargi Raut in Delhi
A cricket match on a Sunday usually means packed stands and a carnival. But the same can’t be said of Day 3 of the final Test match between India and the West Indies.
As Delhi enters the winter season and with days becoming pleasant, the people of the capital decided to spend their Sunday in ways that does not involve much cricket. While the many recreational parks saw young and old alike having a game of cricket early in the morning, as is the weekend ritual in the city, the Indian cricket team was left playing in a near-empty Arun Jaitley Stadium.
West Indies put 173 runs on the scoreboard for the loss of just two wickets, as the match went to Day 4. Only 15,000 people were present, and the crowd sat in silence for much of the day. Many attempts at starting chants ended early as energy ran low. While the crowd hummed, with occasional oohs and aahs, the India continued their domination.
Post-tea, the Caribbeans showed some resistance as they didn’t lose a wicket for 35 overs, with the spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar bowling relentlessly in search of a breakthrough.
John Campbell and Shai Hope batted steadily, with both batters completing their fifties. India hoped for an end to the partnership but the duo kept on batting. The two stitched together an broken 138-run (208) third wicket partnership.
Earlier in the day, post-lunch, India enforced the follow-on after Jadeja and Kuldeep bundled up the opposition out. A partnership between Khary Pierre and Anderson Phillip had taken West Indies over the 200 run mark, but the visitors were asked to bat again.
Mohammad Siraj drew first blood as skipper Shubman Gill took a brilliant catch at short cover to remove Tagenarine Chanderpaul. With minutes left to tea, Alick Athanaze lost his wicket as he perished to Washington Sundar.
While India dominated the day, West Indies found a silver lining in Campbell and Hope. They still trail by 97 runs through.
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