Table of Contents
- Kuldeep Yadav Spins India Into Command
- Campbell-Hope Rescue Mission
- Match Context and Follow-On Drama
- Key Stats from Day Three
- What Next for India and West Indies?
- Sources
Kuldeep Yadav Spins India Into Command
Kuldeep Yadav once again proved why he’s India’s premier wrist-spinner in overseas conditions, claiming a five-wicket haul that dismantled the West Indies top and middle order on Day Three of the Test in Port of Spain.
Operating with surgical precision, Kuldeep exploited the dry, turning surface to trap batsmen in front or lure them into false sweeps. His figures of 5 for 48 were instrumental in bundling out the hosts for just 150 in their first innings—forcing them to follow on after India posted a commanding 247.
“He’s our X-factor in these conditions,” said Indian captain Rohit Sharma after the day’s play. “When Kuldeep gets it right, he’s almost unplayable.”
Campbell-Hope Rescue Mission
Just when India looked set to wrap up the match before tea, openers John Campbell (87*) and Shai Hope (66) staged a defiant 138-run stand that shifted momentum—at least temporarily.
Campbell, compact and aggressive on the off-side, punished anything short or wide. Hope, ever the technician, mixed patience with timely boundaries, particularly through the covers. Their unbroken partnership carried West Indies to 173 for 2 in their second innings, cutting India’s lead to just 74 runs by stumps.
“We knew we had to bat time,” Campbell said in a brief chat with reporters. “Shai and I just wanted to give the team a fighting chance.”
Match Context and Follow-On Drama
After being bowled out for 150 in their first innings—thanks largely to Kuldeep’s brilliance—West Indies were asked to follow on, trailing by 97 runs. Historically, teams following on in Test cricket rarely escape defeat, but Campbell and Hope’s resilience has injected fresh uncertainty.
India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, toiled hard but found little assistance from the pitch as the ball stopped gripping later in the day. Ravindra Jadeja was economical but couldn’t break the stand.
Key Stats from Day Three
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Campbell* | 87 | 152 | 57.23 |
| Shai Hope | 66 | 139 | 47.48 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | — | — | 5/48 (18.2 overs) |
- West Indies trail by 74 runs with 8 wickets in hand.
- This is Campbell’s highest Test score in the Caribbean.
- Kuldeep now has 12 wickets in his last two Tests against West Indies.
What Next for India and West Indies?
With two full days remaining, India will need early wickets on Day Four to avoid a draw. The pitch, though slowing down, still offers turn for Kuldeep and Jadeja—especially in the morning session.
For West Indies, the goal is clear: bat deep into Day Four and either set a target or force India to chase under pressure. If Campbell and Hope survive the first hour, the match could tilt further in the hosts’ favor.
Cricket fans across India and the Caribbean will be watching closely—because in Test cricket, momentum can shift with a single delivery.