The current Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was invited to the West Indies’ dressing room by their head coach, Darren Sammy, after their seven-wicket defeat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to lose another series by a 2-0 margin. However, the visitors displayed improvement with the bat in the second innings.

In the first innings, the Caribbean side got bundled out for 248 runs. Having been enforced with the follow-on, they celebrated twin centuries from Shai Hope and John Campbell to earn a slight lead of 120 runs. It didn’t bring victory, but showed that they would be capable of putting up a fight in the longest format.

See Also: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma sits together with Virat Kohli on team bus ahead of departure for AUS vs IND ODI series

“It's always a privilege to play West Indies, whether it's at home, whether it's away. I think, for me, the most important thing I was telling Daren this as well, is the way you guys carry yourself on and off the field. I think it's a great learning experience, the way you guys carry yourself off the field. Your humility, your humbleness, is something which my team and a lot of teams across the globe have to learn from.” Gambhir expressed in the WI dressing room.

Watch: Gautam Gambhir sends strong and inspiring message to West Indies after 2-0 series defeat against India

Gambhir reckoned that even though it won’t be important to have World Cricket for West Indies cricket, it’s incredibly vital for the other way around. They are the two-time champions of the T20 World Cup 2012 and 2016, but have faced five successive Test defeats in 2025.

pic.twitter.com/y0sfoPQ5ld

— Tom Banton (@adi_exe07) October 14, 2025

“There are very few teams who has someone like a West Indies who has a purpose to play this game. And when you have a purpose, purpose is always more important than love. And when I look at you, I feel that you can inspire the next generation of the West Indies. I think the way you played in the second innings of this Test match is probably the template that can take West Indies cricket forward.” Gambhir addressed.

“And lastly, guys, I want to say one thing, and that is something which I've always believed in. You might feel that I'm saying it just for the heck of it, but this comes straight from the heart. West Indian cricket doesn't need world cricket. World cricket needs West Indian cricket.” The former Indian opener concluded.

Fans are used to seeing Gautam Gambhir in a serious and composed manner. Known for his intense personality, the former India opener seldom shows his lighter side, whether during his playing days or in his coaching role.

However, things took a different turn after the conclusion of the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Following India’s series-clinching win over the West Indies, Gambhir appeared visibly relaxed and in good spirits.

During the post-match press conference, when a journalist asked him a question, Gambhir surprised everyone by cracking a light-hearted joke. The rare moment of humour from the usually stern coach drew laughter from the media room, showing a different side of the Indian head coach.

See Also: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma stays calm as fans crowd around him before Delhi departure

Gautam Gambhir on Having Mental Conditioning Coach:

Gautam Gambhir jokingly commented on Shubman Gill’s packed schedule, saying that with India playing continuously, even he might soon need a mental conditioning coach to keep up with the demanding cricket calendar.

He pointed out the packed cricket calendar, noting how India has played an intense stretch of matches continuously throughout the year, testing both players’ focus and endurance. He said, “ First of all, I need one. This is my birthday gift. The coach is as good as the team.”

Shubman Gill has been on a packed schedule, moving swiftly from the Asia Cup to the West Indies series without much rest. Now, he is set to take charge as India’s ODI captain in the upcoming three-match series against Australia, beginning on Sunday, October 19, Down Under.

For head coach Gautam Gambhir, memories of last year’s home series whitewash against New Zealand remain fresh. He emphasized the difficulty of adapting to rank turners and praised the growth of India’s young batting unit. While KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja provide experience, both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill have now matured enough to handle testing conditions confidently.

It’s important to note that Virat Kohli’s Test average declined on spin-friendly surfaces, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja excelled to become top-class players. However, on flatter tracks, Jadeja and Washington Sundar pose less threat, whereas wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav continues to be a valuable attacking choice for India.

The upcoming two-Test series against South Africa will serve as a key test of India’s dominance at home, especially with no red-ball matches scheduled for the next eight months before the Sri Lanka tour.

With young batters gaining valuable exposure and bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav adjusting to varying conditions, Gautam Gambhir remains confident in India’s adaptability. His relaxed post-match demeanor reflected a rare lighthearted moment, showing that even the most intense mentors can find humor amid a demanding cricket schedule.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir voiced his displeasure over the pitch conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during the second Test against the West Indies. He felt the surface offered little to no support for the fast bowlers throughout the match.

According to Gambhir, the lack of pace and bounce made it difficult for Indian pacers to make an impact, forcing the spinners to shoulder most of the bowling workload. Despite the challenges, India managed to secure a hard-fought win by seven wickets on the final day of play.

The former Indian opener emphasized the importance of preparing more balanced wickets that provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers. Gambhir believes such pitches would not only improve the quality of cricket but also help pacers develop vital skills required for overseas tours, where conditions are often more challenging and demanding for subcontinent bowlers.

See Also: Glenn Maxwell picks combined Australia-India-England ODI XI before AUS vs IND 2025 series, featuring six Indian stars

Gautam Gambhir Criticizes Delhi Pitch for Unfavorable Playing Conditions:

India’s leading pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, shared seven wickets between them over 56 overs. Despite enforcing the follow-on after building a 270-run lead in the first innings, the Indian bowling attack found it challenging to make significant breakthroughs in the West Indies’ second innings. The visitors managed 390 runs in 118.5 overs, with the Delhi pitch showing very little wear and offering minimal assistance to the bowlers. 

Speaking at the post-match press conference after the second Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir commented on the surface, highlighting its lack of support for fast bowlers and suggesting that more balanced wickets would create better contests between bat and ball. His observations emphasized the need for pitches that encourage competitive cricket and test all aspects of the game fairly.

Gautam Gambhir said, “ We could have had a better wicket here. There has to be something for the fast bowlers as well. You need them to be in the game, there wasn’t any carry in the wickets, to keep Test cricket alive we need good wickets.”

India dominated the series opener in Ahmedabad, wrapping up victory in just three days by an innings and 140 runs. Although the Delhi Test posed occasional challenges for the bowling attack, the hosts secured a convincing 2-0 series triumph over the West Indies.

The former Indian opening batter, Aakash Chopra, predicted that it won’t be long before the Blue Brigade management promote Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 50-over format. His comments came after the incredible 175-run knock from the left-handed batter during the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

In the domestic 50-over games, Yashasvi Jaiswal has enjoyed a rich form of 1526 runs in 33 innings at an average of 52.62 and a strike rate of 85.97 with the help of five centuries and seven fifties at the best score of 203. However, he featured only in his debut ODI against England earlier this year.

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

“I think it’s only a matter of time. You will find Yashasvi Jaiswal being blooded in all formats one by one. He has already played T20Is, and he scored a hundred as well. He plays very well in the IPL. He was part of the T20 World Cup team as well. After that, Shubman Gill went ahead of him in the race from the leadership perspective.” Chopra expressed on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra predicts Yashasvi Jaiswal’s debut for India in ODIs

Abhishek Sharma is another option for the management to open the batting in ODIs. However, Chopra reckoned that if India open with Shubman Gill and Jaiswal in future 50-over clashes, then they won’t feel the absence of Rohit Sharma.

“Shubman became a part of the Asia Cup team. Yashasvi is still not there. He will break into the team. You won’t be able to keep him far for long, although an interesting discussion has started about whether you want to play Abhishek Sharma in ODIs. If Yashasvi and Shubman Gill open in ODIs, you might not even miss Rohit then.” The renowned commentator addressed.

“The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is very important to stay in the present. Obviously, they are quality players. They are coming back. Their experience is going to be valuable in Australia. Hopefully, those two guys can have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we can have a successful series.” Chopra concluded.

Team India won the second and final Test against West Indies by seven wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, October 14. With this win, the Shubman Gill-led team completed a 2-0 whitewash over the visitors.

India chased down the 121-run target on Day 5. Earlier, Gill won the toss and chose to bat first. The team declared their innings at 518/5. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played brilliantly, scoring 175 runs from 258 balls.

Captain Shubman Gill also hit a fine century, remaining not out on 129 from 196 balls. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican took three wickets for the West Indies. In reply, the West Indies struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 248 runs. No batter reached fifty, with Alick Athanaze being the top scorer with 41 runs from 84 balls.

Also Read -Glenn Maxwell picks combined Australia-India-England ODI XI before AUS vs IND 2025 series, featuring six Indian stars

Kuldeep Yadav Shines with the Ball

Kuldeep Yadav was the best bowler for India, taking a brilliant five-wicket haul. The West Indies were asked to bat again as India enforced the follow-on.

The visiting team fought back well. John Campbell scored 115 runs from 199 balls, and Shai Hope made 103 from 214 balls. Justin Greaves remained not out on 50 and built an important 79-run partnership for the last wicket with Jayden Seales.

West Indies were all out for 390 on Day 4. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets each in the second innings. Shubman Gill’s team chased down the target easily.

KL Rahul stayed unbeaten with 58 runs from 108 balls, while Sai Sudharsan scored 39 from 76 deliveries. Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance.

3 Moments That Created a Buzz in the Match

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Run-Out After Mix-Up with Shubman Gill

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s superb knock of 175 runs in the first innings ended with an unfortunate run-out. In the 92nd over, he played a drive toward mid-off off Jayden Seales and set off for a quick single.

Shubman Gill took a few steps forward but then went back to the crease. Jaiswal was already halfway down the pitch when the throw came to the keeper’s end, and he was run out.

He looked disappointed as he missed a well-deserved double century. The run-out became one of the most talked-about moments of the match.

Sanjay Bangar breaks it down, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run out wasn’t just bad luck, it was a result of Shubman Gill’s selfishness. pic.twitter.com/4elkkFUGJt

— NiiK (@Niiki099) October 11, 2025

2. Sai Sudharsan’s Stunning Catch at Short-Leg

West Indies opener John Campbell was dismissed for 10 runs in the first innings because of a brilliant catch by Sai Sudharsan at short-leg.

In the eighth over, Campbell tried to sweep a ball from Ravindra Jadeja. He made good contact, but the ball went straight to Sudharsan, who caught it while trying to duck.

The ball stuck to his hands, and he took the catch cleanly. Sudharsan left the field afterward for medical attention.

SAI SUDHARSAN WITH A SPECTACULAR CATCH. 🤯pic.twitter.com/OsWITs9vIH

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 11, 2025

3. Shubman Gill’s Follow-On Decision Divides Fans

Some fans were not happy with Shubman Gill’s decision to enforce the follow-on after West Indies were bowled out for 248. India had a lead of 270 runs.  Supporters felt the Indian bowlers had already bowled 81.5 overs and should have been given rest while India batted again. It was also the first time in 10 years that India enforced the follow-on with a lead of less than 300. The last such instance came against Bangladesh in 2015 when India had a lead of 206.

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.

See Also: Know India's updated position in WTC 2025-27 points table after a 2-0 series victory vs West Indies

“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.

KL Rahul, the Indian opening batter, has continued to show his consistency in 2025 Tests, following his excellent away series against England at the United Kingdom with another superb home series of two red-ball encounters against the West Indies. He smashed a fine century during India’s long innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rahul missed out on the first innings for India of the second red-ball fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi when he used his feet and missed the ball from Jomel Warrican which spun sharp to miss the outside edge of the batter as the wicket-keeper found the opening batter short of his crease.

See Also: [WATCH] Virat Kohli arrives in Delhi ahead of upcoming AUS vs IND 2025 ODI series

The second innings of the game was another chance for Rahul to stamp his authority with the bat, especially during the low chase of 121 runs in the fourth innings. Rahul remained unbeaten on 58 runs and timed a boundary into the long-on region to complete India’s seven-wicket victory to seal the series by 2-0 margin.

Watch: KL Rahul smashes 58* to complete India’s 2-0 series victory vs West Indies

Rahul was defensive at the start of the innings. He mostly looked to play the balls under his eyes with a steady head and never let the bowlers getting the better of him. In the morning session of the fifth and final day, Rahul, after a few defensive shots, showed his intent with the bat.

𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄. 𝐒𝐄𝐓. 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄 ✅

A comfortable 7️⃣-wicket victory for #TeamIndia in Delhi ✌️

With that they take the series 2️⃣-0️⃣ 🏆

Shubman Gill registers his first series win as Captain 👏

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/GYLslRyLf8#INDvWI | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/IwQFHmSQ5O

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 14, 2025

Rahul used his feet to tonk the left-arm spinner of the opposition, Jomel Warrican, for a boundary before repeating the same shot for an over boundary. With a sweep against the opposition captain, Roston Chase, the Karnataka-batter celebrated his 20^th half-century and remained unbeaten on 58 runs to complete the victory and series by 2-0 margin.

The 33-year-old has now collected over 3900 runs in 113 innings of the red-ball format. His average is getting over 36 with a strike rate of more than 52, shouldering on 20 half-centuries and 11 centuries at the best score of 199. He will now shift his focus to the ODI series against Australia down under, starting on October 19.

When Shubman Gill became the Test captain of the Indian side ahead of the five-match red-ball series in the United Kingdom against England, many speculated whether the youngster would be able to crack the code in challenging conditions, especially in the absence of two veteran star batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who announced their Test retirements in a span of one week. 

But Shubman Gill stood on his feet for the entire series as the new number four batter and ended with a 2-2 drawn result, which no one predicted by the start of June against the Ben Stokes-led side. In the opening game, he smashed 147 runs during the first innings, which was his maiden overseas Test century in the SENA countries.

See Also: [WATCH] Bangladesh women's star Marufa Akhter's early struggle story goes viral during Women's World Cup 2025

With India being 1-0 down coming to the second game at Edgbaston, he hammered 269 in the first innings, followed by a fine knock of 161 in just 162 balls in the second. After a silent Lord’s clash, he backed it up with 103 at Manchester. That century for Gill came when India were 0/2 in their second innings with a deficit of more than 300 runs.

Shubman Gill and Sunil Gavaskar celebrated identical Test numbers after 12 innings as Test captains

Gill continued the same rich form during the ongoing home red-ball series against the West Indies. After a fifty in the opening game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Punjab-born creamed his fifth Test century as the red-ball captain during the second game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. That equals him with the former captain, Sunil Gavaskar.

Both Gavaskar and Gill have notched up 933 runs after their first 12 innings as captain in Tests. The former had an average of 93.90 with two fifties and five centuries at the best score of 205. Gill, on the other hand, has an average of 84.82 with one fifty and five hundreds at the best score of 269.

Shubman’s next red-ball challenge will be in mid-November when they face South Africa at home for a two-match Test series. Those games will be equally crucial for the World Test Championship (WTC) points.

India moved closer to a clean sweep after reaching 63/1 on Day 4 of the second Test against West Indies, needing only 58 more runs to win. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 25, while Sai Sudharsan looked composed with 30 runs off 47 deliveries, striking five boundaries. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a magnificent 175 in the first innings, was dismissed early for eight as India chased a modest 121-run target.

Although the umpires had the option to extend play by 30 minutes, India’s strong position meant it wasn’t necessary. The hosts appeared in full control, showcasing disciplined batting and confidence throughout their short second-innings effort.

Earlier, West Indies put up a gritty fight in their second innings. Shai Hope ended his eight-year wait for a Test hundred, while John Campbell registered his maiden century. A resilient 79-run partnership for the final wicket between Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales forced the match into the final day.

See Also: [WATCH] Girl playfully slaps and holds boy at India vs West Indies Test; fans curious online

When did a Test match in India last reach the fifth day?

Five-day Test matches have become increasingly uncommon in India, where home conditions often produce results within four days. The last Test in India to stretch into the fifth day was the series opener against New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2024.

That match began with rain washing out the first day, and India collapsing for just 46 runs in their first innings. New Zealand replied strongly, posting 402, led by Rachin Ravindra’s outstanding 134 off 157 balls. His remarkable effort helped the visitors secure an eight-wicket victory, earning him the Player of the Match award for his brilliant all-round performance.

West Indies’s Fighting Comeback in 2nd Innings:

West Indies managed 248 runs in their first innings in response to India’s commanding 518/5 declared, conceding a 270-run lead. Determined to fight back, they showed much-improved resistance in their second innings, led by openers John Campbell and Shai Hope.

In the morning session, Campbell, whose previous best was 68 against New Zealand in 2020, batted fluently alongside Hope as the pair stitched together a 177-run stand. Their partnership narrowed India’s lead to just 18 by lunch. However, Campbell was trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja before the break, and Mohammed Siraj dismissed Hope for a well-made 103 soon after, triggering a middle-order collapse. Kuldeep Yadav then tore through the lower order, removing Tevin Imlach, Roston Chase, and Khary Pierre in quick succession.

By tea, West Indies had reached 361/9 after a 30-minute extension. Justin Greaves (50) and Jayden Seales (32) offered late resistance, but Jasprit Bumrah (3/44) ended the innings, wrapping up another fine bowling performance for India.

This marked just the fourth occasion since 1961 that India were required to bat again in a Test match after enforcing the follow-on, highlighting the resilience shown by the West Indies in their second innings despite trailing heavily.

Mohammed Siraj, India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests this year, shared a light-hearted moment with West Indies batter Justin Greaves on Day Four of the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday.

The interaction between Siraj and Greaves quickly went viral on social media. During the 10th-wicket stand between Greaves and Jayden Seales, Siraj playfully signaled, seemingly trying to “warn” Greaves, as if telling him not to score any more runs.

India Vs West Indies: 2nd Test, Day 4 – Highlights

Justin Greaves did not listen to Siraj and smashed a fifty as India finally bowled out West Indies after almost 199 overs.

India needed just 121 runs to win the second Test and sweep the series 2-0 after bowling out the determined West Indies for 390. At stumps, India reached 63/1 in 18 overs.

Also Read -Mohmmed Siraj collapses after long spell to get king-like treatment during IND vs WI 2nd Test in Delhi

Greaves and Seales Frustrate India

Greaves, unbeaten on 50, and Jayden Seales (32) added 79 runs for the final wicket, frustrating the Indian bowlers at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.

John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) had earlier guided West Indies into the lead after the tourists resumed at 173-2 while following on. The left-right pair added 177 runs for the third wicket.

Mohammed Siraj giving Justin Greaves the death stare after those shots!

Siraj’s aggression + energy = pure entertainment!

What a character on the field! #Siraj #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/dcoTXuzQM9

— Arshit Yadav (@imArshit) October 13, 2025

Campbell reached his first Test century with a six off Ravindra Jadeja before Jadeja trapped him lbw in the morning session. Hope continued after lunch and scored his first Test hundred in eight years with a boundary off Mohammed Siraj. Siraj got his revenge soon after by bowling Hope.

Kuldeep Yadav, who took 5/82 in the first innings, dismissed wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach lbw for two. He then struck twice in three balls, including skipper Roston Chase for 40.

However, Greaves and Seales held off the Indian bowlers for 133 deliveries using straight-bat shots until Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Seales.

India had enforced the follow-on after bowling out West Indies for 248, a deficit of 270 runs from India’s first-innings 518/5 declared. India had won the first Test in Ahmedabad by an innings.