Arun Jaitley Stadium

"Has to be something for..."- Gautam Gambhir reacts to Delhi surface despite 7-wicket victory in IND vs WI 2nd Test

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:55:19 GMT

The Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, wasn’t satisfied with the pitch condition of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi for the second Test match against the West Indies. The Blue Brigade earned victory in the opening clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, while many expected the second game to get over inside three days.

India enforced the follow-on with the first innings’ lead of 270 runs. In the first innings, they bowled 81.5 overs while in the second innings, they went through 118.5 overs of toil in the scorching heat. Gambhir lambasted the surface due to its lack of bounce, with no assistance for the pacers.

“I thought that we could have had a better wicket here. Yes, we did get the result on day five, but again, I think the Knicks need to carry. I think there has to be something for the fast bowlers as well. I know we keep talking about spinners playing an important role, but when you have probably two quality fast bowlers in your ranks, we still want them to be in the game as well.” Gambhir in the post-match press conference.

Gautam Gambhir slams Delhi surface after India’s seven-wicket win against West Indies

In the first innings, Kuldeep Yadav picked 5/82 in 26.5 overs while the left-arm spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, captured three wickets in 19 overs. In the second innings, Jasprit Bumrah returned with a 3/44 spell while the spinners collected five wickets between them.

“And it is okay if there is not enough (turn), but there has to be carry. So where we all saw that carry wasn't there, (it) was a bit alarming, and I think going forward, (I hope) we can get better wickets in Test cricket, because all of us have the responsibility of keeping Test cricket alive. I think the first and foremost thing to keep Test cricket alive is playing on good surfaces.” Gambhir addressed.

Shubman Gill, who celebrated his 10th Test century in the first innings along with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fabulous knock of 175, called it a dead surface during the post-match presentation.

[WATCH] 'Don’t Beat Our Bowlers That Bad' - Brian Lara humbly requests Yashasvi Jaiswal after stellar 173* in 2nd Test vs WI

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 11:36:02 GMT

Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara made a humble request to Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal after the young batter dominated the West Indies bowling attack at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi during the ongoing second Test. Jaiswal, 23, was in sensational form on the opening day, smashing 22 fours to score an unbeaten 173, setting the tone for India’s strong position in the match.

Jaiswal narrowly missed out on a well-deserved double century after being run out on Day 2, adding only two runs to his overnight total. In a video shared by the BCCI, Lara, who is currently in India, met the Indian youngster while he was preparing for an interview. The former West Indies captain congratulated Jaiswal and made a playful request. “Don’t beat our bowlers that bad,” Lara said. Jaiswal replied with a laugh, “No. I am just trying.”

Speaking about his batting approach, Jaiswal explained that he always played according to the situation and the team’s needs. “I always put the team first, how I can play for my team and what is important for my team at that moment in time,” he said in the video.

Jaiswal’s Mindset and West Indies Legends in India

“So I always think that, and that gives me the answer to how I can play, what shots I can play, how the wicket is, and if I’m there, I make sure that I take it as long as I can. So that is all my mindset that if I have a start, I make sure that I should make it big, just like that,” added the Indian opener.

Watch the video here

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Lara, along with fellow West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards, is in India as part of the "Mission India" campaign to support the cash-strapped Cricket West Indies and help revive its structure in Tests. Lara also visited the West Indies dressing room after Day 2, chatting with players, head coach Daren Sammy, and captain Roston Chase for about 20 minutes.

In the second and third sessions on Day 1, Jaiswal added 193 runs for the second wicket with B Sai Sudharsan who made 87 from 165 balls. Jaiswal praised Sudharsan and also highlighted the strong performances of Shubman Gill, who made 129 runs not out, and the value of partnerships for India in a commanding position early in the Test.

WATCH: Gautam Gambhir’s reaction after Shubman Gill wins his first toss as Test captain in IND vs WI 2nd Test

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:29:23 GMT

India, led by Shubman Gill, are playing against Roston Chase’s West Indies in the second and final Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. After winning the first Test by an innings and 140 runs in Ahmedabad, India are looking to complete a 2-0 clean sweep. The home team entered the match full of confidence, while the visitors are hoping to bounce back after a poor start to the series.

On Friday, October 10, Shubman Gill finally won his first toss as India’s Test captain and chose to bat first on a dry pitch. This was a big moment for him since he had lost his previous six tosses, including five against England earlier this year and one in the first Test against the West Indies. Before the start of play, Gill and his teammates, dressed in blue jerseys, were seen greeting the opposition players and umpires. In a lighthearted moment, head coach Gautam Gambhir was spotted teasing Gill after his long-awaited toss win, and the clip quickly went viral online.

After the toss, Gill explained his decision to bat first, saying that the pitch looked good for batting on Day 1. He said, “We will bat first, the wicket looks good to bat on Day 1. Consistency is the key for us. To be able to repeat performances and to have the same intensity in every match that we play.” He also mentioned that he enjoys the responsibility of leading India and that the team would remain unchanged for this match. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were expected to make the most of the early conditions before spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav come into play later.

West Indies’ Struggles and Team Changes

The West Indies are desperate to end a 20-year drought for a Test victory over India, having endured six defeats in their last seven matches. Head coach Daren Sammy recently described their Test decline as “cancer,” reflecting the team’s ongoing struggles. The visitors made two changes to their lineup, recalling pacer Anderson Phillip and wicketkeeper-batter Tevin Imlach in place of Brandon King and Johann Layne.

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— crictalk (@crictalk7) October 10, 2025

Statistically, the Caribbean side has a tough uphill battle ahead of them, they've chalked up 13 sub-200 totals in their past 15 Test innings and didn't bat out 90 overs even once during that period. Having won only two Tests against India since 2000 and having no success in Delhi after 1987, the West Indies will require a drastic turnaround to face the strong Indian team.

Why are West Indies players wear black armbands in the 2nd Test against India?

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:15:27 GMT

The West Indies players were seen wearing black armbands on Day 1 of the second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Friday. The gesture was a mark of respect for former West Indies all-rounder Bernard Julien, who passed away last week. Julien was part of the historic West Indies team that lifted the inaugural 1975 World Cup under the leadership of Clive Lloyd.

Cricket West Indies confirmed the tribute through an official statement, saying, “The West Indies players are wearing black armbands on day 1 as a tribute to former player Bernard Julien, who passed away last week. All-rounder Julien was a member of the 1975 World Cup winning team.” Julien, who made his international debut in 1973, represented the Caribbean side in 24 Tests and 12 ODIs, scoring 866 and 86 runs, respectively. He also picked up 30 wickets in Tests and 18 in ODIs, proving his all-round abilities.

Meanwhile, the second Test began with India captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and opting to bat first — marking his first toss win as India’s skipper. India currently leads the two-match series 1-0, after an emphatic innings and 140-run victory in the first Test at Ahmedabad.

Team Changes and Playing XIs

India decided to field an unchanged lineup for the match, showing faith in their winning combination. On the other hand, the visitors made two changes, bringing in Tevin Imlach and Anderson Phillip in place of Brandon King and Johann Layne.

The West Indies players are wearing black armbands on day 1 as a tribute to former player Bernard Julien who passed away last week.

Julien was a member of the 1975 World Cup winning team. #INDvWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/XCTQh8TuIR
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) October 10, 2025

IND vs WI 2nd Test: Playing XIs

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

West Indies: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (c), Tevin Imlach (w), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.

India’s assistant coach confirms unchanged playing XI for second Test against West Indies

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:44:15 GMT

India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has confirmed that the home side will likely stick with an unchanged playing XI for the upcoming second Test against the West Indies. The series decider will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with Shubman Gill leading the side. Doeschate’s comments indicate that India will not rest key pacer Jasprit Bumrah, despite already leading the two-match series 1-0.

In the pre-match press conference, Doeschate hinted that the same group of players who featured in the Ahmedabad Test would take the field again. His remarks effectively ruled out any major shake-up in the lineup. The assistant coach also stressed India’s long-term vision of developing young talents like Nitish Reddy into dependable all-rounders for overseas tours.

While Bumrah’s inclusion seems certain, Doeschate highlighted that the management’s decision to persist with Nitish Reddy was part of a bigger plan. He said, “I'd say we're unlikely to change the combination. One of the sort of medium-term objectives is to develop a seam-bowling all-rounder for India, because it's very important when we go away on tours that we have that position covered. We didn't get a very good look at Nitish last week, so I think it's a very good opportunity to give Nitish another go and not alter the balance of the team.”

Sudharsan Under Pressure as Jurel’s Form Strengthens His Case

B Sai Sudharsan endured a tough start to the series, scoring just seven runs in the opening Test. In contrast, Dhruv Jurel shone brightly, smashing a brilliant century that played a crucial role in India’s dominant victory. With Jurel’s impressive form, there’s a strong chance he could be retained as a specialist batter even after Rishabh Pant’s eventual return to the squad.

Doeschate acknowledged the competition within the team, noting that Sudharsan is aware of the challenges ahead. “I think he is under no illusion and he can't hide away from the fact that you do fight for a spot in this environment, where you saw Karun Nair get four Test matches in England [before getting dropped for the West Indies series]. There are a lot of good players fighting up the hill to whoever has possession of that spot,” he said. “I'd imagine it does put pressure on Sai Sudharsan. I think Dhruv showed last week just what a good player he is... there are other good players fighting for a top-three or top-four spot – obviously Shubman’s got four nailed down.”

Based on his statements, India are expected to stick to their winning combination from the Ahmedabad Test, with Padikkal, Axar Patel, Jagadeesan, and Prasidh Krishna likely to miss out on selection once again.

IND vs WI: Delhi pitch promises runs after Windies collapse in opener

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:31:45 GMT

After Roston Chase’s West Indies side were dismantled in less than three days by India in the series opener at Ahmedabad, the visitors are likely to find more favourable batting conditions for the second and final Test in New Delhi. The match begins on October 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

India, led by Shubman Gill, dominated every session of the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The hosts wrapped up a commanding innings-and-140-run victory inside two-and-a-half days, showcasing their all-round superiority. The decision to declare early on Day 3 ensured India spent no more than eight sessions on the field, keeping their bowlers fresh for the Delhi encounter.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the pitch in Delhi will be made using black soil and is expected to favour batters for most of the match. As the game progresses and the surface begins to wear, spinners are likely to come into play, offering more balance between bat and ball.

The change marks a clear contrast from Ahmedabad’s green-top, which had a generous layer of live grass that greatly assisted India’s fast bowlers. On a red-soil pitch with about four millimetres of grass, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj made early inroads, bundling out the West Indies for just 44.1 overs in their first innings. The visitors fared little better in their second innings, lasting only 45.1 overs.

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Delhi pitch to favour batters early, with spinners set to play a role later

In comparison, the Delhi pitch is expected to feature patches of grass interspersed with bald areas, resulting in a more even contest. The outfield will be quicker, and the boundaries slightly shorter, offering batsmen greater scoring opportunities. The surface’s black-soil base is known to hold together longer, assisting stroke play early on while gradually bringing spinners into the game from Day 3 onward.

The last Test match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium took place in 2023, when India defeated Australia by six wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. That match featured a slow-turning surface that began offering considerable help to spinners as it aged.

Weather may also play a role in Delhi’s Test. Recent rainfall has kept mornings cooler and left the skies overcast in the evenings, conditions that could influence swing and seam movement early in the match.

For West Indies, this second Test offers a chance to regroup and restore some pride after their humbling in Ahmedabad. For India, it’s an opportunity to seal another home series with a statement performance, this time, perhaps on a surface more suited to run-making than destruction.

Top 3 reasons why Central Delhi Kings lost to West Delhi Lions in the DPL 2025 final

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:28:57 GMT

The title dreams of Central Delhi Kings ended with a loss by six wickets against West Delhi Lions in the DPL 2025 Final at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. CDK batted first and posted 173/7 in their 20 overs due to Yugal Saini's 65 off 48 and a half-century by Pranshu Vijayran (50 not out off 24). CDK lost key wickets up front and didn't get the finishing push they required. The West Delhi Lions strolled past the modest total in 18 overs due to a stellar innings by Nitish Rana (79 off 49), finishing their innings with 2 overs to spare. The Lions were clearly superior with bat and ball and deserving winners. Below are the main reasons for the Central Delhi Kings' defeat:

1. Nitish Rana’s match-winning contribution

Nitish Rana led the chase with a solid 79 off 49 balls. He mixed power-hitting with intelligent strike manipulation to dictate the innings. His innings ensured WDL was in control of the game throughout.

2. CDK’s early collapse under spin pressure

Central Delhi Kings lost quick wickets despite good knocks later on. Shivank Vasisht (2/12) and Manan Bhardwaj (2/11) kept them in check during the middle overs. This pressure meant CDK couldn’t fully capitalize on Saini and Vijayran’s efforts.

3. West Delhi’s incisive bowling and field strategy

Simarjeet Singh (2/35) gave the Lions early breakthroughs with the new ball. Their bowlers were able to strike at intervals to stop CDK's momentum. Their efforts in keeping CDK to 173/7 saw them put up a chaseable score.

DPL 2025 Final: CDK vs WDL head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:04:39 GMT

The Final of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 is upon us, on Sunday, August 31, Central Delhi Kings vs. West Delhi Lions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, at 7:00 PM IST. Both teams are looking for their first DPL title so this is a so-called blockbuster finale to conclude a thrilling season.

Central Delhi Kings earned their spot in the grand finale after outclassing East Delhi Riders in a rain-affected Qualifier 1. With a few days of rest and preparation, Jonty Sidhu’s side will aim to replicate their composed performances and clinch the championship. West Delhi Lions, however, have taken the tougher path, completing a tough Eliminator victory against South Delhi Superstarz before overcoming the fearsome competitor East Delhi Riders in Qualifier 2. Having that game behind them, full of belief and form, WDL will be hoping they can still get this fairy tale story and lift the trophy!

CDK vs WDL: Head-to-head record

Matches played: 03
CDK wins: 02
WDL wins: 01
Tied/No Result: 00

While CDK has the advantage in their previous meetings, WDL has shown in the past that they can rise to the occasion at crucial moments in knockout games.

CDK vs WDL: Pitch Report

The Arun Jaitley Stadium has certainly had plenty of runs during the knockout matches this year, and chasing sides have been victorious in all three matches so far. The surface allows a bit of balance, with help for bowlers, but batters have mostly dictated the temper. The team that wins the toss will probably want to bowl first, but the pressure of the final could potentially influence the decision, based on conditions of the surface at the time of starting.

CDK vs WDL: Predicted Playing XIs

Central Delhi Kings (CDK): Aaryavir Sehwag, Kaushal Suman (wk), Yugal Saini, Jonty Sidhu (c), Jasvir Sehrawat, Aditya Bhandari, Simarjeet Singh, Tejas Baroka, Money Grewal, Gavinsh Khurana, Arun Pundir

West Delhi Lions (WDL): Ankit Kumar, Krish Yadav (wk), Ayush Doseja, Nitish Rana (c), Mayank Gusain, Hrithik Shokeen, Manan Bhardwaj, Anirudh Chowdhary, Ravneet Tanwar, Bhangwan Singh, Shubham Dubey

Top 3 reasons why East Delhi Riders lost to West Delhi Lions in the DPL 2025 Qualifier 2

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:48:37 GMT

East Delhi Riders were eliminated from the DPL 2025 with an 8-wicket loss to West Delhi Lions in Qualifier 2 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Batting first, Riders only scored 139/8, with Arpit Rana’s 50 the only highlight in a dismal innings. Once again, the middle order failed to deliver and the total was below par on a decent batting pitch. West Delhi Lions’ bowlers kept things tight and ensured the Riders’ score was never in sight. Chasing 140, the Lions chased it down in 17.3 overs thanks to Ayush Doseja and captain Nitish Rana’s explosive partnership. Below are the main reasons for the East Delhi Riders' defeat.

1. Underwhelming batting effort

The East Delhi Riders 139/8 fell well short of par on a surface that was conducive to stroke play. Only Arpit Rana stood tall with a half-century and with little support from others, they lost all momentum. Too many dot balls and wickets fell in the middle overs, which made them end up with a total that was not competitive.

2. West Delhi Lions’ disciplined bowling

Manan Bhardwaj (3/22) and Tishant Dabla (2/18) bowled with accuracy and broke partnerships at the right time. Their spells squeezed Riders’ scoring rate and ensured the middle order never settled. Even though a few overs leaked runs, the collective effort kept the pressure intact.

3. Dominant chase by Rana and Doseja

The chase was made to look easy by the Lions with Ayush Doseja’s controlled 54 and Nitish Rana's blistering 45 memorable runs off 26 deliveries. Their aggressive intention left the Riders’ bowlers clueless and helpless. Having plenty of wickets in hand, the Lions won with plenty to spare in the 18th over.

DPL 2025 Qualifier 2: East Delhi Riders vs West Delhi Lions live streaming & where to watch

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 12:43:08 GMT

Qualifier 2 of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 will see East Delhi Riders (EDR) facing West Delhi Lions (WDL) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, August 30. The winner will take on the Central Delhi Kings in the tournament final. EDR, captained by Anuj Rawat, had a good tournament from the league stage andwill be looking for a bounce back from their loss to Central Delhi. WDL, led by Nitish Rana, are coming off a comfortable Eliminator win over South Delhi Superstarz and will be looking to carry this momentum into their match. Both teams will be eager to reach the final.

EDR vs WDL: Match Details

Match: East Delhi Riders vs West Delhi Lions
Date: August 30, 2025, Delhi
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Tournament: Delhi Premier League 2025—Qualifier 2

EDR vs WDL: Live Streaming Details

Country/Region	Broadcast Partner
India	JioCinema, Sports18 (TV), & FanCode
Other Countries	FanCode (App & Website)

EDR vs WDL: Predicted Playing XIs

East Delhi Riders (EDR): Hardik Sharma, Arpit Rana, Vaibhav Baisal, Sujal Singh, Anuj Rawat (c & wk), Mayank Rawat, Rohan Rathi, Rounak Waghela, Navdeep Saini, Akhil Chowdhary, Ashish Meena, Rohit Yadav

West Delhi Lions (WDL): Krish Yadav (wk), Ankit Kumar-I, Ayush Doseja, Nitish Rana (c), Mayank Gusain, Hrithik Shokeen, Ravneet Tanwar, Manan Bharadwaj, Shivank Vashisht, Anirudh Chowdhary, Shubham Dubey