Table of Contents
- Campbell’s Century: A 23-Year Drought Ends
- How Campbell Built His Fighting 115
- Why This Century Matters in WI Cricket History
- What It Means for the Rest of the India vs WI Series
- Sources
John Campbell’s Historic Century Ends 23-Year Wait
In a display of grit and grace under pressure, West Indies opener John Campbell etched his name into cricketing history with a maiden Test century against India in Delhi—ending a 23-year drought for West Indies openers on Indian soil. His composed 115 not only anchored the visitors’ innings but also provided a rare moment of brilliance in an otherwise challenging tour .
The last West Indies opener to score a Test hundred in India was Sherwin Campbell, who made 105 in Mohali back in 2002. Since then, a string of talented openers—from Chris Gayle to Kraigg Brathwaite—failed to crack the code against India’s spin-heavy attacks at home. Until now.
How Campbell Built His Fighting 115
Facing a potent Indian bowling lineup featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja, Campbell showed remarkable discipline. He mixed solid defense with calculated aggression, striking 12 fours and 3 sixes during his 217-ball stay at the crease .
What stood out was his footwork against spin. On a Delhi pitch offering early turn, Campbell used quick steps down the track to disrupt Jadeja’s length and negate R Ashwin’s drift. His cover drives were crisp, and his pull shots off short balls showed confidence rarely seen from visiting openers in recent years.
John Campbell’s Century at a Glance
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 217 | 12 | 3 | 53.00 |
Why This Century Matters in WI Cricket History
For a team rebuilding its Test identity, Campbell’s knock is more than just runs—it’s a statement. West Indies cricket has struggled to produce consistent openers since the retirements of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. In India, the challenge is even steeper: only five West Indies openers have ever scored centuries here, and none since the early 2000s.
Campbell’s innings also breaks a psychological barrier. Too often, West Indies openers have folded early in Asia, handing India early control. This time, he batted through the new ball, weathered the spin storm, and gave the middle order a platform—something his predecessors rarely managed.
What It Means for the Rest of the India vs WI Series
While India still holds a commanding position in the series—having already won the first Test convincingly—Campbell’s century offers West Indies a blueprint for resilience. If he can replicate this form in the remaining matches in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, the visitors might just avoid a whitewash.
More importantly, this knock could cement Campbell’s place at the top of the order long-term. At 32, he’s no longer a prospect but a proven performer on the toughest tours. As one Caribbean commentator put it: “Today, John didn’t just score a hundred—he gave West Indies hope.”